translation

noun

trans·​la·​tion tran(t)s-ˈlā-shən 

tranz-

1

: an act, process, or instance of translating: such as

a

: a rendering from one language into another

also : the product of such a rendering

b

: a change to a different substance, form, or appearance : conversion

c(1)

: a transformation of coordinates in which the new axes are parallel to the old ones

(2)

: uniform motion of a body in a straight line

2

: the process of forming a protein molecule at a ribosomal site of protein synthesis from information contained in messenger RNA compare transcription sense 3

translational

tran(t)s-ˈlā-sh(ə-)nəl 

tranz-

adjective

Synonyms of translation

• translating

Examples of translation in a Sentence

She is working on a translation of the novel.

a new translation of the Iliad

There were English translations on the menu.

the translation of economic power into political strength

Recent Examples on the Web

This revival brings back the original creative team with direction by Stephen Unwin, design by Bunny Christie and translation by Anthoyn Vivis, with revisions by Unwin. — Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 20 Oct. 2026

At all six stores in New York this summer, one of the top-selling books—helped along by Hollywood—was Emily Wilson’s twelve-thousand-one-hundred-and-ten-line verse translation of the Odyssey. — Nathan Heller, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026

His theory didn’t reach far beyond Japan until the translation of his original essay, first in 1978, then in 2005, and again, with Mori’s approval, in 2012. — Daniel Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026

What is lost is the outcome itself, the translation of a decision already made into a medicine the patient actually takes home. — Harshit Jain, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing translation

• in translation
• loan translation
• lose (something) in translation

Rhymes for translation

• ablation
• aeration
• bination
• carnation
• cassation
• castration
• causation
• centration
• cessation
• cetacean
• chelation
• citation

Kids Definition

translation

noun

trans·​la·​tion tran(t)s-ˈlā-shən 

tranz-

1

: an act, process, or product of translating

2

: the process of forming a protein molecule from information contained in a messenger RNA molecule compare transcription sense 3

Medical Definition

translation

noun

trans·​la·​tion tran(t)s-ˈlā-shən, tranz- 

: the process of forming a protein molecule at a ribosomal site of protein synthesis from information contained in messenger RNA compare transcription

translational

-shnəl, -shən-ᵊl 

adjective