transmission

American  

[trans-mish-uhn, tranz-] / trænsˈmɪʃ ən, trænz- /

noun

1. the act or process of transmitting.

   Synonyms:

   conveyance, passing, passage, transfer

2. the fact of being transmitted.

   Synonyms:

   conveyance, passing, passage, transfer

3. something that is transmitted.

4. Machinery.

   1. transference of force between machines or mechanisms, often with changes of torque and speed.

   2. a compact, enclosed unit of gears or the like for this purpose, as in an automobile.

5. Radio and Television. the broadcasting of electromagnetic waves from one location to another, as from a transmitter to a receiver.

6. Physics. transmittance.

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transmission British  

/ trænzˈmɪʃən /

noun

1. the act or process of transmitting

2. something that is transmitted

3. the extent to which a body or medium transmits light, sound, or some other form of energy

4. the transference of motive force or power

5. a system of shafts, gears, torque converters, etc, that transmits power, esp the arrangement of such parts that transmits the power of the engine to the driving wheels of a motor vehicle

6. the act or process of sending a message, picture, or other information from one location to one or more other locations by means of radio waves, electrical signals, light signals, etc

7. a radio or television broadcast

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Other Word Forms

• nontransmission
  noun
• pretransmission
  noun
• retransmission
  noun
• transmissibility
  noun
• transmissible
  adjective
• transmissive
  adjective
• transmissively
  adverb
• transmissiveness
  noun
• untransmissive
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of transmission

1605–15; < Latin trānsmissiōn- (stem of trānsmissiō ) a sending across, equivalent to trānsmiss ( us ) (past participle of trānsmittere to send across) + -iōn- -ion. See trans-, mission

Explanation

Transmission is the act of transferring something from one spot to another, like a radio or TV broadcast, or a disease going from one person to another. The noun transmission comes from the Latin word transmissio, which means “sending over or across, passage.” The transmission of a message is the delivery of the message. Transmission can also be a communication sent out by radio or television, while the transmission of a disease is the passing of that virus or bacteria between people. A vehicle’s transmission is the part of the engine that uses the energy created by the burning fuel to make the axle turn.

Example Sentences

Transmission buildout does not trigger the ideological battles that surround generation sources.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 8, 2026

Transmission spending, though, poses challenges for utilities and regulators in determining how costs should be divided.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 13, 2026

Now that it’s happening, the business could be worth $5 billion, based on comparable multiples of other mobility companies, including Allison Transmission.

From Barron's • Jan. 26, 2026

Transmission most often occurs when people or pets ingest food or water contaminated with raccoon feces.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 17, 2026

Transmission was dependent on spark-gap generators that operated at low power, produced copious interference, and failed utterly in damp conditions.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik

Related Words

• broadcast
• communication
• delivery
• gearbox