transposition

noun

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

1

a

: 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

2

a

: 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

transpositional

ˌtran(t)s-pə-ˈzi-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

Examples of transposition in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The transposition of the directive into law across the EU has seen some territories impose obligations around investment in local productions, as well as introduce clauses to protect producer independence and ring-fence rights. —Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 27 Mar. 2026

In September 2017, Fulmer underwent ulnar nerve transposition surgery in his right elbow. —Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 14 Mar. 2026

Hell’s greatest feat, however, is a studied transposition of the infamous affair between the nineteenth-century French poets Paul Verlaine and Arthur Rimbaud onto the lives of Vaughn and Wode. —Taran Dugal, New Yorker, 4 Mar. 2026

Among these were melodic concepts like inversion (flipping a tune), transposition (shifting it up or down scales), retrograding (reversal), and translation (movement over time). —Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 19 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Anglo-French transposicion, from Medieval Latin transposition-, transpositio, from Latin transponere to transpose

First Known Use

1538, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing transposition

• transposition cipher

Rhymes for transposition

• abolition
• acquisition
• admonition
• ammunition
• apparition
• apposition
• coalition
• competition
• composition
• definition
• deglutition
• demolition

Medical Definition

transposition

noun

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

: 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

transpositional

-ˈzish-nəl 

adjective