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

Then comes Idea Mode, where voice notes become rich raw material, transcribed and reviewed later, unlocking your reflective mind. —Chris Schembra, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2025

So far, the researchers have transcribed about 50 hours of barks into syllables. —Miriam Fauzia, Boston Herald, 12 Oct. 2025

The iPhone lets users record and transcribe calls with just the tap of a button, as do other apps. —Nushrat Rahman, Freep.com, 6 Oct. 2025

But many of the available tools are focused on reducing administrative burden by transcribing clinical visits, drafting notes and formulating appeal letters. —Alexis Kayser, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 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