transom

noun

tran·​som ˈtran(t)-səm 

1

: 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

2

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

Illustration of transom

• T transom 2

see also over the transom

Examples of transom in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Doors still have transom windows. —Roger Naylor, AZCentral.com, 14 Nov. 2025

As Washington was still digesting the election results on Thursday, a fund-raising e-mail came across the transom from Jasmine Crockett, a Texas Democratic congresswoman who has emerged as one of the Party’s louder TV warriors. —Susan B. Glasser, New Yorker, 6 Nov. 2025

At the stern, meanwhile, a dual-mode transom combines a garage, a submersible platform, and a beach club into one single system. —Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 7 Oct. 2025

This entryway also has a transom window and a sidelight that will wash the small space in the sun. —Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for transom

• handsome
• hansom

Kids Definition

transom

noun

tran·​som ˈtran(t)-səm 

1

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

2

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