trans·fer
tran(t)s-ˈfər 
ˈtran(t)s-ˌfər
ˈtran(t)s-ˌfər
transferred; transferring
1
2
: to make over the possession or control of : convey
3
: to print or otherwise copy from one surface to another by contact
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
trans·fer
ˈtran(t)s-ˌfər
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
Graham Kates, CBS News, 19 Feb. 2026
Rather than making recommendations, though, RPN’s Eliot Hillis volunteered to make them himself, eventually transferring his nood knowledge to Russell, as guests began to take notice of the restaurant’s newest simmering pots and show up in greater numbers, particularly on Friday nights.
—Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Feb. 2026
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Feb. 2026
Ghana has received West African nationals under similar arrangements, while South Sudan and Uganda have also engaged in third-country transfers from the US.
—Yinka Adegoke, semafor.com, 20 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for transfer
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Verb
She was transferred from a federal correctional facility in Tallahassee, Florida, to a lower-security facility in Bryan, Texas, last year after she was interviewed by Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche.
—Graham Kates, CBS News, 19 Feb. 2026
Rather than making recommendations, though, RPN’s Eliot Hillis volunteered to make them himself, eventually transferring his nood knowledge to Russell, as guests began to take notice of the restaurant’s newest simmering pots and show up in greater numbers, particularly on Friday nights.
—Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Feb. 2026
Noun
From the complimentary Rolls-Royce airport transfer to the private VIP arrival lounge and dedicated check-in (in-suite, of course), and exclusive elevator banks at your disposal, every step of the journey is designed to be seamless and expedited.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Feb. 2026
Ghana has received West African nationals under similar arrangements, while South Sudan and Uganda have also engaged in third-country transfers from the US.
—Yinka Adegoke, semafor.com, 20 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for transfer
Cite this Entry
“Transfer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/transfer. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
transfer
1 of 2 verb
trans·fer
tran(t)s-ˈfər
ˈtran(t)s-ˌfər
ˈtran(t)s-ˌfər
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
adjective
tran(t)s-ˈfər-ə-bəl
transfer
2 of 2 noun
trans·fer
ˈtran(t)s-ˌfər
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
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
trans·fer
trans-ˈfər, ˈtrans-ˌfər
transferred; transferring
: to cause a transfer of
transferral
noun
trans-ˈfər-əl
transfer
2 of 2 noun
trans·fer
ˈtrans-ˌfər
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
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