transom

noun tran·som \ ˈtran(t)-səm \

|Updated on: 12 Jun 2018

Definition of transom

1 : a window above a door or other window built on and commonly hinged to a transom

2 : a transverse piece in a structure : crosspiece: such as

a : lintel

b : a horizontal crossbar in a window, over a door, or between a door and a window or fanlight above it

c : the horizontal bar or member of a cross or gallows

d : any of several transverse timbers or beams secured to the sternpost of a boat; also : the planking forming the stern of a square-ended boat

— over the transom

: without solicitation or prior arrangement

the manuscript arrived over the transom

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Recent Examples of transom from the Web

Barron, who kept an eye on everything going on in the back of the 54-foot Carolina boat, was always ready with the gaff whenever one of us had a fish that big coming close to the transom.

— steve waters, miamiherald, "“Mahi Madness:” Some tips on taking advantage of Dolphin fishing in the Florida Keys | Miami Herald," 18 May 2018
Doubled over the transom, John casually does likewise.

— ben lowy, Smithsonian, "The Lionfish Have Invaded, But a Ragtag Army of Divers and Chefs Are Fighting Back," 23 May 2018
More from Mansion A study has paneling replicated from the Cathedral of St. Philip in Atlanta, and a great room has a handmade leaded glass transom window.

— katherine clarke, WSJ, "Baseball’s Tom Glavine Lists Longtime Atlanta Home," 21 May 2018
Almost as fast as mate Hunter Barron could cast a live pilchard behind the transom of Catch 22, that’s how quickly a dolphin was hooked up and pulling line off the reel.

— steve waters, miamiherald, "“Mahi Madness:” Some tips on taking advantage of Dolphin fishing in the Florida Keys | Miami Herald," 18 May 2018
Despite its relatively young age, the house incorporates touches of the past, including transom windows on interior doorways and multiple fireplaces.

— maureen c. gilmer, Indianapolis Star, "Hot Property: New kid on the block blends in with historic Meridian Street homes," 4 May 2018
Alerts and updated press releases with names of notable attendees flew fast and furious over the transom.

— catherine bigelow, San Francisco Chronicle, "Red-hot Cartier bash, Mid-Winter Gala keep SF social set busy," 11 Apr. 2018
The home has a formal dining room with a domed ceiling, crystal chandelier, clear leaded glass transoms, a domed ceiling foyer and a library off the living room.

— lorraine longhi, azcentral, "Luxury Homes: $3 million Paradise Valley mansion has garage with elevator, Zen garden," 2 Apr. 2018
The new balcony doors will be made of fiberglass specially made by Conquest Solutions and include glass transoms above the doors and fiberglass door frames, the official said.

— Fox News, "Interior spending $139K to upgrade doors in Zinke's office," 9 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'transom.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Illustration of transom

Origin and Etymology of transom

Middle English transyn, traunsom, probably alteration of traversayn, from Middle French travessain, from Old French traversain set crosswise, from Vulgar Latin *traversanus, from Latin transversus transverse

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 2

See Words from the same year