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-ˈzish-nəl 

-ˈzi-shə-nᵊl

adjective

Examples of transposition in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

After augmenting the software a bit to incorporate transposition options, AZDecrypt got to work, and soon yielded its first breakthroughs. —Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 4 Apr. 2024

But this interlude — programmed at the insistence of Kendall, who also leads the 21st Century Consort — was an especially poignant transposition of Pärt’s work to the Folger’s hand-hewn vibe. —Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 17 Dec. 2023

There is a sensory transposition occurring—from eyes to ears, or vice versa—with the opportunity for all kinds of vital data to drop off or get lost in the process. —Jayson Greene, Pitchfork, 17 Oct. 2023

There are no pure adaptations, no perfect transpositions of literary material into visual media, and, in fact, a bit of strategic infidelity is often the ingredient that animates a great adaptation. —Phillip MacIak, The New Republic, 11 Oct. 2023

But the Prologue and Tale are direct transpositions. —Melissa Rodman, The New Republic, 1 Mar. 2023

The transposition of a single line works as an amplification, not a refutation. —Rod Smith, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2023

Address any potential pitfalls, such as forgetting to reconcile new accounts, data entry and transposition errors, broken links and overlooked prior period open items. —Shagun Malhotra, Forbes, 21 Apr. 2023

Spain’s transposition still raises large issues. —John Hopewell, Variety, 15 Sep. 2021

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

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