transcribe

verb

tran·​scribe tran(t)-ˈskrīb 

transcribed; transcribing

transitive verb

1

a

: to make a written copy of

b

: to make a copy of (dictated or recorded matter) in longhand or on a machine (such as a typewriter)

c

: to paraphrase or summarize in writing

d

: write down, record

2

a

: to represent (speech sounds) by means of phonetic symbols

b

: translate sense 1a

c

: to transfer (data) from one recording form to another

d

: to record (as on magnetic tape) for later broadcast

3

: to make a musical transcription of

4

: to cause (DNA or RNA) to undergo genetic transcription

transcriber noun

Examples of transcribe in a Sentence

He transcribed all of his great-grandfather's letters.

The senator's speech was transcribed.

a Mozart string quartet transcribed for piano

a system that allows linguists to transcribe the sounds of any language

Recent Examples on the Web

And, then there was Stanley, whom Hertz transcribed for from second grade through her senior year. —Erika I. Ritchie, Oc Register, 27 June 2025

In those scenes, Tannahill’s writing can be careful to a fault, with George and Dev spouting dialogue that may well be reprinted from a gender-studies thesis or transcribed from an argument occurring in Bushwick right now. —Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 18 June 2025

When a patient enters an exam room with a One Medical doctor, the conversation is recorded and transcribed (with the patient’s permission) so the doctor can focus on the patient instead of on notes and a computer keyboard. —Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes.com, 14 June 2025

Along with the screen sharing options, there is an impressive speech-to-text tool that transcribes what party members are saying and displays it in the chat in real time. —Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 3 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin transcribere, from trans- + scribere to write — more at scribe

First Known Use

1552, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for transcribe

• ascribe
• describe
• imbibe
• inscribe
• prescribe
• proscribe
• subscribe
• bribe
• gibe
• jibe
• tribe
• vibe

Kids Definition

transcribe

verb

tran·​scribe tran(t)s-ˈkrīb 

transcribed; transcribing

1

a

: to make a written copy of

b

: to make a copy of (dictated or recorded matter) by hand or on a machine (as a typewriter)

2

: to represent speech sounds with phonetic symbols

transcriber noun

Medical Definition

transcribe

transitive verb

tran·​scribe tran(t)s-ˈkrīb 

transcribed; transcribing

: to cause (as DNA) to undergo genetic transcription