transom

noun

tran·​som ˈtran(t)-səm 

1

: a transverse piece in a structure : crosspiece: such as

a

: lintel

b

: a horizontal crossbar in a window, over a door, or between a door and a window or fanlight above it

c

: the horizontal bar or member of a cross or gallows

d

: any of several transverse timbers or beams secured to the sternpost of a boat

also : the planking forming the stern of a square-ended boat

2

or transom window : a window above a door or other window built on and commonly hinged to a transom

Illustration of transom

• T transom 2

Phrases

over the transom

: without solicitation or prior arrangement

the manuscript arrived over the transom

Examples of transom in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But in late July, a new option came across the transom: three-bedrooms with a yard in the tony Brandt Point area. —Hannah Seligson, Robb Report, 26 Nov. 2024

And the apartment has nice light and prewar charm: a transom, elegant moldings. —Kim Velsey, Curbed, 29 Oct. 2024

When guests are ready for a swim, the touch of a button opens the transom, laying out a 12 square meter private beach club suspended just above the waterline. —Kathleen Turner, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2024

Wendy Balas for architectural design; Walter Martin for interior design; Melissa Wilson for transom artwork; builder Calvin Burris; and Reagan Byrnes for basement refinishing. —Lennie Omalza, The Courier-Journal, 12 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English transyn, traunsom, probably alteration of traversayn, from Middle French travessain, from Old French traversain set crosswise, from Vulgar Latin *traversanus, from Latin transversus transverse

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

transom

noun

tran·​som ˈtran(t)-səm 

1

: a horizontal crossbar in a window, over a door, or between a door and a window or fanlight above it

2

: a window above a door or other window built on and commonly hinged to a transom