translate

verb

trans·​late tran(t)s-ˈlāt How to pronounce translate (audio)
tranz-;
ˈtran(t)s-ˌlāt,
ˈtranz-
translated; translating

transitive verb

1
a
: to turn into one's own or another language
b
: to transfer or turn from one set of symbols into another : transcribe
c(1)
: to express in different terms and especially different words : paraphrase
(2)
: to express in more comprehensible terms : explain, interpret
2
a
: to bear, remove, or change from one place, state, form, or appearance to another : transfer, transform
translate ideas into action
b
: to convey to heaven or to a nontemporal condition without death
c
: to transfer (a bishop) from one see to another
3
4
: to subject to mathematical translation
5
: to subject (genetic information) to translation in protein synthesis

intransitive verb

1
: to practice translation or make a translation
also : to admit of or be adaptable to translation
a word that doesn't translate easily
2
: to undergo a translation
3
: lead, result
usually used with into
believes that tax cuts will translate into economic growth
translatability noun
The translatability of other native two-dimensional designs into the commercial medium of silk screens, however, may not be so clearcut. Margaret B. Blackman et al.
translatable adjective
The word is of Derrida's own coinage and is deliberately ambiguous (and therefore not translatable), being derived from the French … Ann Jefferson
… but the resultant information is spotty and not readily translatable into an average national trend. Barry Commoner
translator
ˈtran(t)s-ˌlā-tər How to pronounce translate (audio)
ˈtranz-;
tran(t)s-ˈlā-tər
tranz-
noun

Examples of translate in a Sentence

My client speaks only Spanish. Will you translate for me? The French word “bonjour” translates as “hello” in English. We need someone who can translate Japanese into English. We have translated the report. The book has been translated into 37 languages. Can you translate this technical jargon? Seventy million Americans—that translates into one American out of every four—are under the age of 24.
Recent Examples on the Web After an almost year-long break from touring in the United States, Grupo Firme has announced the tour dates to its La Última Peda stint — which loosely translates to the last drunken tour — set to kick off May 10 in San Antonio. Griselda Flores, Billboard, 18 Mar. 2024 The tour’s title, which roughly translates to The Last Drunken Party, seems to imply a farewell. Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 18 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for translate 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'translate.' 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

Middle English, from Anglo-French translater, from Latin translatus (past participle of transferre to transfer, translate), from trans- + latus, past participle of ferre to carry — more at tolerate, bear

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2a

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

Dictionary Entries Near translate

Cite this Entry

“Translate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/translate. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

translate

verb
trans·​late tran(t)s-ˈlāt How to pronounce translate (audio) tranz- How to pronounce translate (audio)
translated; translating
1
: to change from one place, state, or form to another : transform
translate ideas into action
2
: to transport miraculously to heaven without death
3
a
: to change from one language or set of symbols into another
translate Japanese into English
b
: to express in different words : paraphrase
c
: to explain in a clearer way : interpret
needed a lawyer to translate the contract
4
: to be translated
5
: to have as a result
usually used with into
believes that more homework will translate into better grades
translatable adjective
translator noun

Medical Definition

translate

transitive verb
trans·​late tran(t)s-ˈlāt, tranz- How to pronounce translate (audio)
translated; translating
: to subject (as genetic information) to translation in protein synthesis

More from Merriam-Webster on translate

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