transfer

1 of 2

verb

trans·​fer tran(t)s-ˈfər How to pronounce transfer (audio)
ˈtran(t)s-ˌfər
transferred; transferring

transitive verb

1
a
: to convey from one person, place, or situation to another : move, shift
b
: to cause to pass from one to another : transmit
2
: to make over the possession or control of : convey
3
: to print or otherwise copy from one surface to another by contact

intransitive verb

1
: to move to a different place, region, or situation
especially : to withdraw from one educational institution to enroll at another
2
: to change from one vehicle or transportation line to another
transferable adjective
or less commonly transferrable
transferal noun
transferrer noun

transfer

2 of 2

noun

trans·​fer ˈtran(t)s-ˌfər How to pronounce transfer (audio)
1
a
: conveyance of right, title, or interest in real or personal property from one person to another
b
: removal or acquisition of property by mere delivery with intent to transfer title
2
a
: an act, process, or instance of transferring : transference sense 2
b
: the carryover or generalization of learned responses from one type of situation to another
3
: one that transfers or is transferred
especially : a graphic image transferred by contact from one surface to another
4
: a place where a transfer is made (as of trains to ferries or as where one form of power is changed to another)
5
: a ticket entitling a passenger on a public conveyance to continue the trip on another route

Examples of transfer in a Sentence

Verb We transferred the baby's car seat to the other car. The patient was transferred to a different hospital. transfer data on the hard drive to a disk He transferred my call to another line. The virus is transferred by mosquitoes. He transferred control of the company to his son. She was able to transfer her organizational skills to her new job. Her skills transferred well to her new job. Noun We switched to another car, and the transfer only took a few minutes. They arranged for a transfer of the prisoner to a different prison. a material that reduces heat transfer speeding up data transfer between computers We are doing everything possible to ensure a smooth transfer to the new system. a transfer by deed or will a transfer to the home office My overseas transfer has been approved.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Standard practice involves creating multiple embryos, which are screened for genetic abnormalities, and the ones that appear healthiest can be transferred. Emily Bazelon, New York Times, 3 Mar. 2024 The Apache Stronghold organization has hoped to halt the mining project by preventing the U.S. government from transferring the land called Oak Flat to Resolution Copper. Anita Snow and Matthew Daly, Quartz, 2 Mar. 2024 According to a recent report by global real estate consultancy Knight Frank, $90 trillion in assets will be transferred between generations in the United States over the next 20 years. Jack Kelly, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 The young wine is then transferred to 100 percent new French oak and aged for 18 months prior to release. Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 29 Feb. 2024 But then Hands transferred to Foothills Christian and Norris to Helix. Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Feb. 2024 The legislation would transfer administrative control of the 174-acre riverfront parcel from the federal government to D.C., for a term of 99 years with no rent costs, enabling a range of development possibilities from a football stadium to restaurants, shops and housing. Meagan Flynn, Washington Post, 29 Feb. 2024 During the flight, fuel wasn’t transferring from the auxiliary system to the main tanks, eventually causing the crash, the suit says. Rachel Graf, Fortune, 21 Feb. 2024 The former center at Colorado, Evan Battey, was at LACES until transferring. Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 21 Feb. 2024
Noun
The transfer of ownership was settled in February and the total purchase price was $2,100,000, $1,193 per square foot. Bay Area Home Report, The Mercury News, 22 Feb. 2024 Alves joined Juventus in 2016 on a free transfer and despite only being there for one season, helped the club win the 2016-17 Serie A title and Coppa Italia. Elizabeth Flores, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2024 Common categories for small-business transactions include sales, contractors, wage expenses, owner’s draw, loans, investments, operating expenses and inter-account transfers. Vlad Rusz, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024 Financial terms of the deal were not released but the transfer fee was about $9 million, the team confirmed. Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 21 Feb. 2024 MoneyLion charges instant transfer fees ranging from $1.99 up to a maximum of $9 depending on the size of the withdrawal, and EarnIn charges between $1.99 and $3.99. Dylan Sloan, Fortune, 20 Feb. 2024 Again, the Europeans have made 33 of their $50 billion transfer to Ukraine a loan. CBS News, 18 Feb. 2024 Gish remains in custody pending her transfer to a US Bureau of Prisons facility, which has yet to be determined, the release said. Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 10 Feb. 2024 For those looking to get out of credit card debt, see if a balance transfer is right for you. Michelle Singletary, Washington Post, 9 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'transfer.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English transferren, from Anglo-French transferrer, from Latin transferre, from trans- + ferre to carry — more at bear

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

1674, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of transfer was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near transfer

Cite this Entry

“Transfer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/transfer. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

transfer

1 of 2 verb
transferred; transferring
1
a
: to pass from one person, place, or situation to another
b
: to cause to pass from one to another
2
: to give over the possession or ownership of
3
: to move to a different place, region, or situation
especially : to withdraw from one school to enroll at another
4
: to change from one vehicle or transportation line to another
transferable
tran(t)s-ˈfər-ə-bəl
adjective
transferal noun

transfer

2 of 2 noun
trans·​fer ˈtran(t)s-ˌfər How to pronounce transfer (audio)
1
: a giving over of right, title, or interest in property by one person to another
2
: an act, process, or example of transferring
3
: one that transfers or is transferred
4
: a graphic image transferred by contact from one surface to another
5
: a place where a transfer is made (as from trains to ferries)
6
: a ticket permitting a passenger on a bus or train to continue the journey by another route
Etymology

Verb

Middle English transferren "to transfer," from Latin transferre (same meaning), from trans- "across, through" and ferre "to bear, carry" — related to defer entry 1, fertile

Medical Definition

transfer

noun
trans·​fer ˈtran(t)s-ˌfər How to pronounce transfer (audio)
1
2
: the carryover or generalization of learned responses from one type of situation to another see negative transfer

Legal Definition

transfer

1 of 2 transitive verb
transferred; transferring
: to cause a transfer of
transferable adjective
also transferrable
transferral
trans-ˈfər-əl
noun

transfer

2 of 2 noun
trans·​fer ˈtrans-ˌfər How to pronounce transfer (audio)
1
: a conveyance of a right, title, or interest in real or personal property from one person or entity to another
2
: a passing of something from one to another
transfer of venue
the transfer of power

More from Merriam-Webster on transfer

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!