trans·fer
tran(t)s-ˈfər 
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
Synonyms
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
Eugene Linden, TIME, 21 Apr. 2024
The passengers were transferred to another tram, according to an email sent to The Times.
—Laurence Darmiento, Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 2024
For those outside of Pasadena who want speed humps, bumps or cushions, call your city hall and ask to be transferred to the department in charge of them.
—Jim Radcliffe, Orange County Register, 19 Apr. 2024
The materials transferred to Peru from Rowe’s collection include around 88 books and 4,556 archaeological specimens, among them pottery fragments, animal bones and a ceramic vessel that will be studied and exhibited to the public.
—Juan B. García, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Apr. 2024
In 2023, an inmate who was assigned to an 8-man cell at the Great Plains Correctional Center requested to be transferred due to safety concerns, the lawsuit said.
—Jennifer Rodriguez, Kansas City Star, 18 Apr. 2024
Exercise discretion with co-workers: While being transparent with your manager is essential, consider keeping your intention to transfer confidential from your co-workers until your move is confirmed.
—Johnny C. Taylor Jr., USA TODAY, 9 Apr. 2024
His shareholding transferred to his wife, Laura, an agent for film and TV crew, following his sudden death in February at the age of 64.
—K.j. Yossman, Variety, 9 Apr. 2024
The books have an attractive homemade look; scenic designer Casey Price has transferred that look to the stage here.
—Jim Higgins, Journal Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2024
Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 21 Apr. 2024
While there is another opportunity right now for player acquisition through the NCAA transfer portal, the Aztecs are not expected to bring in another quarterback.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Apr. 2024
Charlotte added 29 players in December and has continued to build through the transfer portal through the spring.
—Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 21 Apr. 2024
In 1852, the heirs enshrined Pierrepont’s lot-by-lot restrictions by agreeing to a list of setbacks and other site restrictions that would automatically apply as covenants for land transfers on all of the Brooklyn Heights streets in their portfolio.
—Jeremy Lechtzin, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2024
Charlotte transfer linebacker Nikhai Hill-Green arrived in Fayetteville on Thursday.
—Richard Davenport, arkansasonline.com, 18 Apr. 2024
The transfer of ownership was settled in April and the total purchase price was $770,000, $667 per square foot.
—Bay Area Home Report, The Mercury News, 18 Apr. 2024
The Boise State men’s basketball team’s leading 3-point shooter is in the transfer portal.
—Ron Counts, Idaho Statesman, 18 Apr. 2024
Edge rusher might be the team’s thinnest position after coach DeShaun Foster confirmed Tuesday that Choe Bryant-Strother had entered the transfer portal, becoming the latest edge rusher to depart.
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2024
Verb
Perlin started college at Berkeley, but transferred to the University of California at Santa Barbara to be nearer the ocean and surfing.
—Eugene Linden, TIME, 21 Apr. 2024
The passengers were transferred to another tram, according to an email sent to The Times.
—Laurence Darmiento, Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 2024
For those outside of Pasadena who want speed humps, bumps or cushions, call your city hall and ask to be transferred to the department in charge of them.
—Jim Radcliffe, Orange County Register, 19 Apr. 2024
The materials transferred to Peru from Rowe’s collection include around 88 books and 4,556 archaeological specimens, among them pottery fragments, animal bones and a ceramic vessel that will be studied and exhibited to the public.
—Juan B. García, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Apr. 2024
In 2023, an inmate who was assigned to an 8-man cell at the Great Plains Correctional Center requested to be transferred due to safety concerns, the lawsuit said.
—Jennifer Rodriguez, Kansas City Star, 18 Apr. 2024
Exercise discretion with co-workers: While being transparent with your manager is essential, consider keeping your intention to transfer confidential from your co-workers until your move is confirmed.
—Johnny C. Taylor Jr., USA TODAY, 9 Apr. 2024
His shareholding transferred to his wife, Laura, an agent for film and TV crew, following his sudden death in February at the age of 64.
—K.j. Yossman, Variety, 9 Apr. 2024
The books have an attractive homemade look; scenic designer Casey Price has transferred that look to the stage here.
—Jim Higgins, Journal Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2024
Noun
These prices cover the surgery, hotel accommodation, transfer, and a translator, in addition to consultation and patient care.
—Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 21 Apr. 2024
While there is another opportunity right now for player acquisition through the NCAA transfer portal, the Aztecs are not expected to bring in another quarterback.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Apr. 2024
Charlotte added 29 players in December and has continued to build through the transfer portal through the spring.
—Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 21 Apr. 2024
In 1852, the heirs enshrined Pierrepont’s lot-by-lot restrictions by agreeing to a list of setbacks and other site restrictions that would automatically apply as covenants for land transfers on all of the Brooklyn Heights streets in their portfolio.
—Jeremy Lechtzin, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2024
Charlotte transfer linebacker Nikhai Hill-Green arrived in Fayetteville on Thursday.
—Richard Davenport, arkansasonline.com, 18 Apr. 2024
The transfer of ownership was settled in April and the total purchase price was $770,000, $667 per square foot.
—Bay Area Home Report, The Mercury News, 18 Apr. 2024
The Boise State men’s basketball team’s leading 3-point shooter is in the transfer portal.
—Ron Counts, Idaho Statesman, 18 Apr. 2024
Edge rusher might be the team’s thinnest position after coach DeShaun Foster confirmed Tuesday that Choe Bryant-Strother had entered the transfer portal, becoming the latest edge rusher to depart.
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 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.
Dictionary Entries Near transfer
Cite this Entry
“Transfer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/transfer. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
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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