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 computer)

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 (a radio broadcast) for later transmission

The old radio sitcoms were transcribed onto magnetic tape.

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

In modern office settings and call centers, the quality of audio is essential, especially now that more of us are using AI tools in our jobs to transcribe conversations and interviews. — Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026

Staley's interview, like others that have occurred in recent months, is being transcribed but not recorded. — Lauren Peller, ABC News, 23 July 2026

The Odyssey, composed by the Greek poet Homer, was transcribed circa 750-850 BC, according to the BBC. — Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 11 July 2026

Artificial intelligence is rapidly inundating health care, from systems that transcribe doctor-patient conversations to algorithms trained to spot anomalies in chest X-rays. — Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 July 2026

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