transcription

1 of 2

noun

tran·​scrip·​tion tran(t)-ˈskrip-shən 

1

: an act, process, or instance of transcribing

2

: copy, transcript: such as

a

: an arrangement of a musical composition for some instrument or voice other than the original

b

: a recording (as on magnetic tape) formerly made especially for use in radio broadcasting

3

: the process of constructing a messenger RNA molecule using a DNA molecule as a template with resulting transfer of genetic information to the messenger RNA compare translation sense 2, reverse transcription

transcriptional

tran(t)-ˈskrip-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

transcriptionally adverb

transcriptional

2 of 2

adjective

tran·​scrip·​tion·​al -shənᵊl 

-shnəl

: of, relating to, or produced by transcription

transcriptionally

-shənᵊlē, 

-shnəl-, 

-i

adverb

Examples of transcription in a Sentence

Noun

Transcription of the tapes took weeks.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

For people with disabilities, AI is providing higher quality and faster transcription for the deaf, image descriptions for the blind, and speech generation for those unable to communicate verbally. — Jessica Melugin, Sun Sentinel, 25 June 2026

This copy may not be in its final form, may be updated and may contain minor transcription errors. — ABC News, 21 June 2026

These transcription hubs are extremely fluid and differ from one cell to another. — Philip Ball, Quanta Magazine, 18 June 2026

Grasshopper is fairly straightforward to configure and provides a decent set of calling and messaging features (such as call recording and voicemail transcription), too. — John Brandon, PC Magazine, 17 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing transcription

• reverse transcription
• transcription factor

Rhymes for transcription

• ascription
• conscription
• decryption
• description
• egyptian
• encryption
• inscription
• prescription
• proscription
• subscription
• circumscription
• misdescription

Kids Definition

transcription

noun

tran·​scrip·​tion tran(t)s-ˈkrip-shən 

1

: an act, process, or instance of transcribing

2

: copy entry 1 sense 1, transcript

3

: the process of forming a messenger RNA molecule using a DNA molecule as a guide compare translation sense 2

Medical Definition

transcription

noun

tran·​scrip·​tion tran(t)s-ˈkrip-shən 

: the process of constructing a messenger RNA molecule using a DNA molecule as a template with resulting transfer of genetic information to the messenger RNA compare reverse transcription, translation

transcriptional

-shnəl, -shən-ᵊl 

adjective

transcriptionally

-ē 

adverb