translation
noun
trans·la·tion
tran(t)s-ˈlā-shən 
tranz-
1
: an act, process, or instance of translating: such as
a
: a rendering from one language into another
also
: the product of such a rendering
b
: a change to a different substance, form, or appearance : conversion
c(1)
: a transformation of coordinates in which the new axes are parallel to the old ones
(2)
: uniform motion of a body in a straight line
2
: the process of forming a protein molecule at a ribosomal site of protein synthesis from information contained in messenger RNA compare transcription sense 3
Examples of translation in a Sentence
She is working on a translation of the novel.
a new translation of the Iliad
There were English translations on the menu.
the translation of economic power into political strength
Recent Examples on the Web
Bonta’s bill would add to that list those who provide social services to immigrant communities — including legal, humanitarian and translation services.
—
Andrew Graham
april 26, Sacbee.com, 26 Apr. 2026
His first collection, Death of a Naturalist, was published by Faber and Faber in 1966 and was followed by eleven other volumes of poetry, as well as collections of literary criticism, anthologies, translations, and verse plays.
—Nick Laird, The New York Review of Books, 25 Apr. 2026
This note didn’t need a translation.
—Chang Che, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2026
The literal translation of the song is a love song.
—Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for translation
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Andrew Graham
april 26, Sacbee.com, 26 Apr. 2026
His first collection, Death of a Naturalist, was published by Faber and Faber in 1966 and was followed by eleven other volumes of poetry, as well as collections of literary criticism, anthologies, translations, and verse plays.
—Nick Laird, The New York Review of Books, 25 Apr. 2026
This note didn’t need a translation.
—Chang Che, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2026
The literal translation of the song is a love song.
—Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for translation
Cite this Entry
“Translation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/translation. Accessed 28 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
translation
noun
trans·la·tion
tran(t)s-ˈlā-shən
tranz-
1
: an act, process, or product of translating
2
: the process of forming a protein molecule from information contained in a messenger RNA molecule compare transcription sense 3
Medical Definition
translation
noun
trans·la·tion
tran(t)s-ˈlā-shən, tranz-
: the process of forming a protein molecule at a ribosomal site of protein synthesis from information contained in messenger RNA compare transcription
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