transmit

verb

trans·​mit tran(t)s-ˈmit  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

tran(t)s-ˈmi-tə-bəl 

tranz-

adjective

transmittal

tran(t)s-ˈmi-tᵊl 

tranz-

noun

Synonyms

• communicate
• conduct
• convey
• give
• impart
• spread
• transfer
• transfuse

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

Electric stoves were placed on wooden dining tables, reclining chairs, and wardrobes, transmitting heat into glass distillers and condensers. —Hung Duong, Artforum, 1 Nov. 2024

Things progressed this way until Samuel Insull came along with the idea of interconnecting these sources so that large amounts of power could be transmitted across larger and larger areas. —Greg Robinson, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024

Mosquitoes are known for their ability to transmit viruses, and some of them, like Oropouche virus and Zika virus, can be particularly dangerous for those who are pregnant. —Li Cohen, CBS News, 31 Oct. 2024

The detection was on a small farm rather than a commercial pig farm, which reduces the immediate concern but highlights potential risks if the virus starts transmitting in pigs. —Nina Turner, Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2024

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

Kids Definition

transmit

verb

trans·​mit tran(t)s-ˈmit  tranz- 

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

-ˈmit-ə-bəl 

adjective

transmittal

-ˈmit-ᵊl 

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  tranz- 

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- 

transmitted; transmitting

1

: to send or convey from one person or place to another

2

: to transfer especially by inheritance

transmittable

-ˈmi-tə-bəl 

adjective

transmittal

-ˈmit-ᵊl 

noun