transmit

verb

trans·​mit tran(t)s-ˈmit How to pronounce transmit (audio)
tranz-
transmitted; transmitting

transitive verb

1
a
: to send or convey from one person or place to another : forward
b
: to cause or allow to spread: such as
(1)
: to convey by or as if by inheritance or heredity : hand down
(2)
: to convey (infection) abroad or to another
2
a(1)
: to cause (something, such as light or force) to pass or be conveyed through space or a medium
(2)
: to admit the passage of : conduct
glass transmits light
b
: to send out (a signal) either by radio waves or over a wire

intransitive verb

: to send out a signal either by radio waves or over a wire
transmittable adjective
transmittal noun

Examples of transmit in a Sentence

The technology allows data to be transmitted by cellular phones. transmitting and receiving radio signals The radio transmits on two different frequencies. the different ways that people transmit their values The disease is transmitted by sexual contact.
Recent Examples on the Web Since then, my whole life has been trying to put together songs like that, and to transmit that feeling. Arsenio Orteza, SPIN, 25 Mar. 2024 The weather service also transmits emergency alerts through the NOAA Weather Radio. Madeline Nguyen, The Arizona Republic, 22 Mar. 2024 The The unit converts the data to binary code – consisting of zeros and ones, the simplest form of computer code – then transmits that code to Earth, using Voyager's 12-foot antenna dish. George Petras, USA TODAY, 19 Mar. 2024 The Soviet leader, Leonid I. Brezhnev, sent good wishes in a message transmitted by Soviet space officials, and President Gerald R. Ford spoke to the crews by telephone. Richard Goldstein, New York Times, 18 Mar. 2024 On a cloudless night, the stars brighten, then flicker on and off, as if a kid were playing with a light switch, transmitting a series of numbers. Inkoo Kang, The New Yorker, 18 Mar. 2024 When United Airlines flight 585 crashed shortly before landing in March 1991, the FDR held five data points: direction, speed, altitude, G-force, and whether the radio microphone was keyed to transmit. Gregory Wallace, CNN, 17 Mar. 2024 In most cases, a tick has to be attached for around 36 to 48 hours before the bacteria can be transmitted. Emily Mullin, WIRED, 15 Mar. 2024 As members of the majority atop the caste system, racial advantage transmitted invisibly to them. Nikole Hannah-Jones, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'transmit.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English transmitten, from Latin transmittere, from trans- + mittere to send

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of transmit was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near transmit

Cite this Entry

“Transmit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/transmit. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

transmit

verb
trans·​mit tran(t)s-ˈmit How to pronounce transmit (audio) tranz- How to pronounce transmit (audio)
transmitted; transmitting
1
a
: to transfer from one person or place to another
b
: to pass on by or as if by inheritance
c
: to cause or allow to spread abroad or to another
transmit a disease
2
a
: to pass or cause to pass through space or a material : allow the passage of
b
: to send a signal by radio waves or over a wire
transmittable adjective
transmittal noun
Etymology

Middle English transmitten "to send to another person or place," from Latin transmittere (same meaning), from trans- "across, to the other side" and mittere "to send, throw" — related to emit

Medical Definition

transmit

transitive verb
trans·​mit tran(t)s-ˈmit How to pronounce transmit (audio) tranz- How to pronounce transmit (audio)
transmitted; transmitting
: to pass, transfer, or convey from one person or place to another: as
a
: to pass or convey by heredity
transmit a genetic abnormality
b
: to convey (infection) abroad or to another
mosquitoes transmit malaria
c
: to cause (energy) to be conveyed through space or a medium
substances that transmit nerve impulses

Legal Definition

transmit

transitive verb
trans·​mit tranz-ˈmit, trans- How to pronounce transmit (audio)
transmitted; transmitting
1
: to send or convey from one person or place to another
2
: to transfer especially by inheritance
transmittable adjective
transmittal noun

More from Merriam-Webster on transmit

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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