transpose

1 of 2

verb

trans·​pose tran(t)s-ˈpōz How to pronounce transpose (audio)
transposed; transposing

transitive verb

1
: to change the relative place or normal order of : alter the sequence of
transpose letters to change the spelling
2
: to change in form or nature : transform
3
: to render into another language, style, or manner of expression : translate
4
: to transfer from one place or period to another : shift
5
: to write or perform (a musical composition) in a different key
6
: to bring (a term) from one side of an algebraic equation to the other with change of sign
transposable adjective

transpose

2 of 2

noun

trans·​pose ˈtran(t)s-ˌpōz How to pronounce transpose (audio)
: a matrix formed from another matrix by interchanging the rows and columns

Did you know?

Though transposing two digits can be disastrous, transposing two letters in a word often doesn't matter too much. (You can prboalby raed tihs setnence witohut too mcuh toruble.) Transposing two words or sounds—as in "Can I sew you to another sheet?"—has been a good source of humor over the years. Doctors sometimes discover that something in the body—a nerve, an organ, etc.—has been transposed, or moved away from its proper place. For musicians, transposing means changing the key of a piece; if you can do this at a moment's notice, you've been well trained.

Choose the Right Synonym for transpose

reverse, transpose, invert mean to change to the opposite position.

reverse is the most general term and may imply change in order, side, direction, meaning.

reversed his position on the trade agreement

transpose implies a change in order or relative position of units often through exchange of position.

transposed the letters to form an anagram

invert applies chiefly to turning upside down or inside out.

the number 9 looks like an inverted 6

Examples of transpose in a Sentence

Verb I must have accidentally transposed the numbers when I dialed his phone number. a story originally set in London that has been transposed to Paris for this film a melody transposed to the key of C
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
The behind-the-scenes conniving of the senators in the first film gets transposed onto Denzel Washington’s Macrinus and Tim McInnerny’s Thraex. Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 22 Nov. 2024 But Warren’s clerk said numbers were transposed when they were entered into the computers, according to the Free Press’ coverage. Paul Egan, Detroit Free Press, 8 Nov. 2024
Noun
The sequence of data transfer, transpose and orchestration. Prashanth Southekal, Forbes, 15 Apr. 2022 See all Example Sentences for transpose 

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French transposer, from Latin transponere (perfect indicative transposui) to change the position of, from trans- + ponere to put, place — more at position

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun

1937, in the meaning defined above

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

Dictionary Entries Near transpose

Cite this Entry

“Transpose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/transpose. Accessed 4 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

transpose

verb
trans·​pose
tran(t)s-ˈpōz
transposed; transposing
1
: to change the position, order, or sequence of
2
: to write or perform (a musical composition) in a different key
3
: to bring (a term) from one side of an algebraic equation to the other with change of sign
given the equation y = 3 - 2x, transpose the 2x to get y + 2x = 3
transposition
ˌtran(t)s-pə-ˈzish-ən
noun

Medical Definition

transpose

verb
trans·​pose tran(t)s-ˈpōz How to pronounce transpose (audio)
transposed; transposing

transitive verb

: to transfer from one place or period to another
specifically : to subject to genetic transposition

intransitive verb

: to undergo genetic transposition
transposable adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on transpose

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