transmission
noun
trans·mis·sion
tran(t)s-ˈmi-shən 
tranz-
tranz-
1
: an act, process, or instance of transmitting
transmission of a nerve impulse across a synapse
2
: the passage of radio waves in the space between transmitting and receiving stations
also
: the act or process of transmitting by radio or television
3
: an assembly of parts including the speed-changing gears and the driveshaft by which the power is transmitted from an engine to a live axle
also
: the speed-changing gears in such an assembly
4
: something that is transmitted : message
Did you know?
Since trans- means "across", it's not hard to see the meaning of transmission. Disease transmission occurs when an infection passes from one living thing to another. TV signal transmission can be interrupted by tree leaves, including moving leaves and branches during a storm. Your car's transmission transmits the engine's power to the axle, changing the gears to keep the engine working with maximum efficiency at various speeds.
Examples of transmission in a Sentence
The equipment is used for the transmission of television signals.
We are receiving a live transmission from the scene of the accident.
the transmission of knowledge from one generation to the next
My car has a manual transmission.
This car comes with automatic transmission.
Recent Examples on the Web
Also combining three electric motors—two on the front axle, plus a third integrated into the dual-clutch transmission—the power train of the Valhalla delivers 1,079 hp and 811 ft lbs of torque.
—
Tim Pitt, Robb Report, 9 Apr. 2025
Similar in packaging to an IGH but different in execution, continuously variable hubs function like the transmission in a midrange automobile.
—Chris Cona, ArsTechnica, 9 Apr. 2025
The pause will lead to temporary layoffs of about 900 people total at the Warren and Sterling stamping plants in Michigan as well as the Indiana and Kokomo transmission plants and Kokomo Casting in Indiana.
—Jamie L. Lareau, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2025
Treatment decreases the risk of transmission to less than 1 percent.
—Apoorva Mandavilli, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for transmission
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Tim Pitt, Robb Report, 9 Apr. 2025
Similar in packaging to an IGH but different in execution, continuously variable hubs function like the transmission in a midrange automobile.
—Chris Cona, ArsTechnica, 9 Apr. 2025
The pause will lead to temporary layoffs of about 900 people total at the Warren and Sterling stamping plants in Michigan as well as the Indiana and Kokomo transmission plants and Kokomo Casting in Indiana.
—Jamie L. Lareau, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2025
Treatment decreases the risk of transmission to less than 1 percent.
—Apoorva Mandavilli, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for transmission
Cite this Entry
“Transmission.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/transmission. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
transmission
noun
trans·mis·sion
tran(t)s-ˈmish-ən
tranz-
tranz-
1
: an act, process, or example of transmitting
2
: the passage of radio waves in the space between transmitting and receiving stations
3
: the gears by which the power is transmitted from the engine to the axle that gives motion to a motor vehicle
4
: something transmitted
Medical Definition
transmission
noun
trans·mis·sion
tran(t)s-ˈmish-ən
tranz-
tranz-
: an act, process, or instance of transmitting
transmission of HIV
synaptic transmission
Legal Definition
transmission
noun
trans·mis·sion
tranz-ˈmi-shən, trans-
: an act, process, or instance of transmitting
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