in transit

American

[in tran-zit, -sit] / ˌɪn ˈtræn zɪt, -sɪt /

idiom

on the way to a destination; in the process of traveling or being shipped from one place to another.

She’s still in transit, as her flight was delayed.
If your package has been damaged in transit, please contact us immediately.

Etymology

Origin of in transit

First recorded in 1780–90

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

When thieves snatched 12 metric tons of KitKats in transit from Italy to Poland, the company capitalized with some free publicity for one of its most famous brands.

From Barron's • Jun. 10, 2026

The last shipment of jet fuel in transit from the Middle East to the UK is due to arrive this week, according to data firm Vortexa.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

In the first three weeks of March, she discovered a fall of 155 million barrels, mainly triggered by a 211 mbpd drop in oil in transit.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 27, 2026

“The K line presents an opportunity for a different choice, an opportunity to learn from this history and ensure that investment in transit uplifts rather than harms.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026

Best to catch them at the start of their ascent toward freedom, in transit from small places, when they were anonymous, lost, their presence recorded nowhere.

From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023