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

Many doctors, for instance, are using AI tools to listen to, transcribe and summarize their patient visits. —Emily Brindley, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2026

With the advancement of technology, there is now a transcribing tool on hand, but Warner says, human transcribing is not only faster, but 99% accurate. —Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 5 Mar. 2026

Both depositions ended up behind closed doors, though they will be transcribed, filmed and eventually released. —Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 27 Feb. 2026

Both depositions will be transcribed and filmed. —Fernando Cervantes Jr, Louisville Courier Journal, 26 Feb. 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