English Reference
verb

transmit

v.
US /tɹænzˈmɪt/ UK /tɹænsmˈɪt/ trans·mit UK spelling transmits

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate Technical Computing

    to send out electrical signals for radio, television, or the internet.

    to broadcast or send out electromagnetic waves or data signals via a transmitter.

    Simple

    The tower transmits radio signals to all the houses in the valley.

    In context

    The satellite is designed to transmit high-definition video data back to Earth with minimal latency, even during solar interference.

    Usage

    Often used with 'to' to indicate the recipient of the signal.

  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate Academic Medicine

    to pass a disease or virus from one person or animal to another.

    to cause a pathogen or infection to pass from one host to another.

    Simple

    Insects like mosquitoes can transmit serious diseases to humans.

    In context

    Public health officials are studying how the virus is transmitted through respiratory droplets in poorly ventilated indoor spaces.

    Usage

    Commonly used in the passive voice when discussing how a disease is spread.

  3. 03 C1 Advanced FormalAcademic

    to pass information, ideas, or feelings to other people.

    to communicate or convey information, knowledge, or cultural values.

    Simple

    Parents transmit their cultural values to their children through stories.

    In context

    The ancient scrolls were intended to transmit the mathematical discoveries of the era to future generations of scholars.

    Usage

    Usually takes a direct object representing the information being shared.

  4. 04 C1 Advanced TechnicalAcademic Science

    to allow light, heat, or sound to pass through something.

    to serve as a medium for the passage of energy, light, or force.

    Simple

    Some types of glass transmit more light than others.

    In context

    The metal rod was specifically treated to transmit heat efficiently from the engine block to the cooling system.

Usage transmit information

Axons are essential structures that allow brain cells to transmit signals.

ScienceDaily· 4 Sept 2026

Once science operations are underway, Roman will transmit about 1.4 terabytes of data to Earth every day.

ScienceDaily· 31 Aug 2026

From Middle English transmitten, borrowed from Latin trānsmittō (“transmit”, verb, literally “across-send”).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin Latin trānsmittō
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated