transmit

verb

trans·​mit tran(t)s-ˈmit How to pronounce transmit (audio)
tranz-
transmitted; transmitting

transitive verb

1
a
: to send or convey from one person or place to another : forward
b
: to cause or allow to spread: such as
(1)
: to convey by or as if by inheritance or heredity : hand down
(2)
: to convey (infection) abroad or to another
2
a(1)
: to cause (something, such as light or force) to pass or be conveyed through space or a medium
(2)
: to admit the passage of : conduct
glass transmits light
b
: to send out (a signal) either by radio waves or over a wire

intransitive verb

: to send out a signal either by radio waves or over a wire
transmittable adjective
transmittal noun

Examples of transmit in a Sentence

The technology allows data to be transmitted by cellular phones. transmitting and receiving radio signals The radio transmits on two different frequencies. the different ways that people transmit their values The disease is transmitted by sexual contact.
Recent Examples on the Web As members of the majority atop the caste system, racial advantage transmitted invisibly to them. Nikole Hannah-Jones, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2024 Even beyond childhood, through touch sensations and tactile perceptions of temperature, texture and vibration transmitted to the brain, fingers are essential to how most people contact and interact with the external world throughout life. Sabrina Sholts, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Mar. 2024 Information was stored and transmitted physically, on sheets of paper. Joseph O’Neill, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2024 This year's spending package prohibits the department from transmitting that information unless a relevant judicial authority rules that the beneficiary is a danger to himself or herself, or others. Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 7 Mar. 2024 Jack Texeira, the former member of the Massachusetts Air National Guard accused of leaking the documents to friends in an online chatroom, pleaded guilty on Monday to charges of willfully retaining and transmitting classified information. Annabelle Timsit, Washington Post, 5 Mar. 2024 Historic Odysseus lunar mission For a week, the Odysseus lunar lander set up shop on the moon's surface, where its sideways position didn't stop it from transmitting data and photos back to mission control in Houston. Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 3 Mar. 2024 The plaintiffs say that despite assurances on TaxAct's website that their information was confidential, data was transmitted to Meta and Google through 2022. Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 After being dormant for most of February, the spacecraft miraculously woke up over the weekend and transmitted new images to Earth, according to the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. Ashley Strickland, CNN, 26 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'transmit.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English transmitten, from Latin transmittere, from trans- + mittere to send

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of transmit was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near transmit

Cite this Entry

“Transmit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/transmit. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

transmit

verb
trans·​mit tran(t)s-ˈmit How to pronounce transmit (audio) tranz- How to pronounce transmit (audio)
transmitted; transmitting
1
a
: to transfer from one person or place to another
b
: to pass on by or as if by inheritance
c
: to cause or allow to spread abroad or to another
transmit a disease
2
a
: to pass or cause to pass through space or a material : allow the passage of
b
: to send a signal by radio waves or over a wire
transmittable adjective
transmittal noun
Etymology

Middle English transmitten "to send to another person or place," from Latin transmittere (same meaning), from trans- "across, to the other side" and mittere "to send, throw" — related to emit

Medical Definition

transmit

transitive verb
trans·​mit tran(t)s-ˈmit How to pronounce transmit (audio) tranz- How to pronounce transmit (audio)
transmitted; transmitting
: to pass, transfer, or convey from one person or place to another: as
a
: to pass or convey by heredity
transmit a genetic abnormality
b
: to convey (infection) abroad or to another
mosquitoes transmit malaria
c
: to cause (energy) to be conveyed through space or a medium
substances that transmit nerve impulses

Legal Definition

transmit

transitive verb
trans·​mit tranz-ˈmit, trans- How to pronounce transmit (audio)
transmitted; transmitting
1
: to send or convey from one person or place to another
2
: to transfer especially by inheritance
transmittable adjective
transmittal noun

More from Merriam-Webster on transmit

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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