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 that has not prevented other offers for TikTok from floating in over the transom. —Todd Spangler, Variety, 22 Jan. 2025

Another standout is the beach club, offering up a roomy seating space and a treatment room, which includes a glass wall that fills the space with light when the two side terraces are lowered and the transom door is opened. —Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 9 Jan. 2025

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

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