transposition

noun

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trans·po·si·tion | \ ˌtran(t)s-pə-ˈzi-shən

Definition of transposition

1a : an act, process, or instance of transposing or being transposed

b : the transfer of a segment of DNA from one site to another in the genome

2a : the transfer of any term of an equation from one side over to the other side with a corresponding change of the sign

b : a mathematical permutation or interchange of two letters or symbols

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Examples of transposition in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web There’s spare, Constructivist logic and familial integrity at the heart of this sculptural idea—as well as sweet satisfaction in the recognition of the interrelatedness and transposition of top and bottom, inside and outside. — Lance Esplund, WSJ, 15 May 2021 Doolin had a minor operation last fall — an ulnar nerve transposition — to relieve pain that was building in his arm. — Dave Melton, chicagotribune.com, 3 May 2021 But a blood test detected an abnormality, leading doctors to diagnose the baby with a rare but serious congenital heart defect called transposition of the great arteries, or TGA. — Mark Joyella, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2021 The painful consequence of that will be a clunky, suboptimal transposition of the physical to the virtual, right down—one fears—to an awkward videoconference cocktail hour. — Jonathan Becker, Fortune, 24 Sep. 2020 Shock explained Louisa’s transposition to the sand. — Susan Choi, The New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2020 But what’s happening is not a simple transposition of pre-isolation life into the weird new now. — Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 9 Apr. 2020 How to Solve the Code To solve part four, Dunin and other cryptologists have tried every method at their disposal, from polyalphabetic substitution to transposition. — Courtney Linder, Popular Mechanics, 3 Feb. 2020 Smith was also born with transposition of the great arteries and had the Mustard procedure surgery as an infant. — Holly V. Hays, Indianapolis Star, 25 Dec. 2019

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

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Dictionary Entries Near transposition

transposal

transpose

transposing instrument

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Last Updated

20 May 2021

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“Transposition.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/transposition. Accessed 23 Jun. 2021.

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More Definitions for transposition

transposition

noun

trans·po·si·tion | \ ˌtran(t)s-pə-ˈzish-ən

Medical Definition of transposition

: an act, process, or instance of transposing or being transposed: as

a : the displacement of a viscus to a side opposite from that which it normally occupies transposition of the heart

b : the transfer of a segment of DNA from one site to another in the genome either between chromosomal sites or between an extrachromosomal site (as on a plasmid) and a chromosome