transmitter

American  

[trans-mit-er, tranz-] / trænsˈmɪt ər, trænz- /

noun

transmitters plural

1. a person or thing that transmits.

2. Also called transmitting set.  Radio. a device for sending electromagnetic waves; the part of a broadcasting apparatus that generates and modulates the radiofrequency current and conveys it to the antenna.

3. the part of a telephonic or telegraphic apparatus that converts sound waves or mechanical movements into corresponding electric waves or impulses.

4. Biochemistry. neurotransmitter.

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transmitter British  

/ trænzˈmɪtə /

noun

1. a person or thing that transmits

2. the equipment used for generating and amplifying a radio-frequency carrier, modulating the carrier with information, and feeding it to an aerial for transmission

3. the microphone in a telephone that converts sound waves into audio-frequency electrical signals

4. a device that converts mechanical movements into coded electrical signals transmitted along a telegraph circuit

5. physiol short for neurotransmitter

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transmitter Scientific  

/ trăns′mĭt-ər /

1. A device that converts sound, light, or electrical signals into radio, microwave, or other electrical signals of sufficient strength for the purpose of telecommunication.

2. Compare receiver

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• transmitters
  plural

Etymology

Origin of transmitter

First recorded in 1720–30; transmit + -er ¹

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

transmitter transmitters

Wise said that it continues to operate normally under existing money transmitter licenses across 48 U.S. states and four territories.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 24, 2026

The assumption has been that an extraterrestrial transmitter would produce a highly concentrated signal that stands out from natural background noise.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 16, 2026

The unit was on a training mission when it was redirected to assist in the search and rescue effort, after an emergency locator transmitter signal alerted the US Coast Guard about a potential distress situation.

From BBC ● May 14, 2026

All one needs is "another radio transmitter that can broadcast on the same frequency, but louder," she said, which creates "a wall of mush."

From Barron's ● Mar. 8, 2026

L. N. Channing of the Agate Point radio transmitter station, addressed the defense commission meeting.

From "Snow Falling on Cedars: A Novel" by David Guterson

Jamming of foreign broadcasts was pioneered by Nazi Germany during World War Two, using noise or signals from more powerful transmitters located closer to the listeners.

From BBC ● Mar. 27, 2026

Its DeFi provisions explicitly bar developers and operators of DeFi platforms from being treated as money transmitters, even when those platforms earn fees by providing exchange-like services.

From Barron's ● Feb. 5, 2026

Saudi jets could be equipped with downgraded avionics, reduced flight performance or range, limited weapons packages, hidden IFF transmitters and so forth.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 28, 2025

The team said that in the future, they plan to embed wireless data transmitters in the e-tattoos to achieve a fully wireless EEG process.

From Science Daily ● Dec. 2, 2024

As the Earth rotates, our more powerful radio transmitters slowly sweep the sky.

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan