Transmit
tranz-MIT
/trænzˈmɪt/
To send something across a space or through a medium; to pass on from one person or place to another.
Often used for signals, data, or diseases. Implies a one-way sending, rather than a two-way exchange.
The story behind the word. The word 'transmit' comes from the Latin verb 'transmittere', a combination of 'trans-' meaning 'across, beyond' and 'mittere' meaning 'to send'. So, literally, to 'transmit' is to 'send across'. This perfectly captures the idea of sending signals or information from one point to another.
Word relationships
- Send: More general, can apply to physical objects or information.
- Convey: Often implies carrying or communicating information, feelings, or ideas.
- Broadcast: To transmit widely to many receivers, often publicly.
- Receive: To get something that has been sent.
- Withhold: To refuse to give or send.
Commonly confused with
- Communicate: 'Transmit' is sending; 'communicate' is sharing and often implies understanding.
Word family
- transmission (noun): The act or process of transmitting something.
- transmitter (noun): A person or thing that transmits something, especially a device for broadcasting radio or television signals.
Collocations
- transmit data
- transmit signals
- transmit information
- transmit disease
- transmit knowledge
Example sentences
- "The satellite will `transmit` high-resolution images back to Earth." Referring to data transfer.
- "Mosquitoes can `transmit` various diseases, such as malaria and dengue fever." In biology.
- "It is important to `transmit` cultural traditions and knowledge to future generations." About cultural heritage.
Memory hook
Think of `trans`ferring and `mit`ting (sending) something `across` a distance. You `transmit` data across the internet. Send across
When not to use
While 'transmit' can mean 'send', it often carries a more formal or technical connotation than simply 'send' or 'give'.
Fun facts
- The word 'mission' also comes from 'mittere', meaning 'a sending'.
- In cars, a 'transmission' system transmits power from the engine to the wheels.
Related words
Explore more words
broadcast, contagion, transcribe, impart, get across, disseminate
Take your vocabulary further with LangBlitz
Our English vocabulary app: FSRS spaced repetition, 5,000+ curated words across 119 topic groups, CEFR A1 to C2. Explore your mastery with the beautiful Vocabulary World feature.