transferred; transferring

transitive verb

1
a
: to convey from one person, place, or situation to another : move, shift
b
: to cause to pass from one to another : transmit
2
: to make over the possession or control of : convey
3
: to print or otherwise copy from one surface to another by contact

intransitive verb

1
: to move to a different place, region, or situation
especially : to withdraw from one educational institution to enroll at another
2
: to change from one vehicle or transportation line to another
transferable adjective
1
a
: conveyance of right, title, or interest in real or personal property from one person to another
b
: removal or acquisition of property by mere delivery with intent to transfer title
2
a
: an act, process, or instance of transferring : transference sense 2
b
: the carryover or generalization of learned responses from one type of situation to another
3
: one that transfers or is transferred
especially : a graphic image transferred by contact from one surface to another
4
: a place where a transfer is made (as of trains to ferries or as where one form of power is changed to another)
5
: a ticket entitling a passenger on a public conveyance to continue the trip on another route

Examples of transfer in a Sentence

Verb We transferred the baby's car seat to the other car. The patient was transferred to a different hospital. transfer data on the hard drive to a disk
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Five of this weekend’s starting QBs transferred at least once during their college football careers. Erik Buchinger, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024 Meanwhile, transfer the vegetables and pan juices to a platter. Kelly Brant, arkansasonline.com, 31 Dec. 2024
Noun
This development follows an emergency motion and preliminary injunctions regarding the charter transfer process. Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 27 Dec. 2024 In the summer, the range of names on the transfer list is sure to be longer. Pol Ballús, The Athletic, 26 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for transfer 

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English transferren, from Anglo-French transferrer, from Latin transferre, from trans- + ferre to carry — more at bear

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

1674, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of transfer was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near transfer

Cite this Entry

“Transfer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/transfer. Accessed 3 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

transferred; transferring
1
a
: to pass from one person, place, or situation to another
b
: to cause to pass from one to another
2
: to give over the possession or ownership of
3
: to move to a different place, region, or situation
especially : to withdraw from one school to enroll at another
4
: to change from one vehicle or transportation line to another
transferable
tran(t)s-ˈfər-ə-bəl
adjective

transfer

2 of 2 noun
1
: a giving over of right, title, or interest in property by one person to another
2
: an act, process, or example of transferring
3
: one that transfers or is transferred
4
: a graphic image transferred by contact from one surface to another
5
: a place where a transfer is made (as from trains to ferries)
6
: a ticket permitting a passenger on a bus or train to continue the journey by another route
Etymology

Verb

Middle English transferren "to transfer," from Latin transferre (same meaning), from trans- "across, through" and ferre "to bear, carry" — related to defer entry 1, fertile

Medical Definition

1
2
: the carryover or generalization of learned responses from one type of situation to another see negative transfer

Legal Definition

transfer

1 of 2 transitive verb
transferred; transferring
: to cause a transfer of
transferable adjective
transferral
trans-ˈfər-əl
noun

transfer

2 of 2 noun
1
: a conveyance of a right, title, or interest in real or personal property from one person or entity to another
2
: a passing of something from one to another
transfer of venue
the transfer of power

More from Merriam-Webster on transfer

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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