transcription

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

Examples of transcription in a Sentence

Transcription of the tapes took weeks.

Recent Examples on the Web

Dozens of sites offer transcription work. —Kathy Kristof, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2026

This copy may not be in its final form, may be updated and may contain minor transcription errors. —ABC News, 12 Apr. 2026

The nurse who catches the wrong transcription. —Maria Noel Fernandez, Mercury News, 10 Apr. 2026

Several Californians sued Sutter Health and MemorialCare this week over allegations that an AI transcription tool was used to record them without their consent, in violation of state and federal law. —Cyrus Farivar, ArsTechnica, 10 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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