teleport

¹ American  

[tel-uh-pawrt, -pohrt] / ˈtɛl əˌpɔrt, -ˌpoʊrt /

verb (used with object)

1. to transport (a body) by telekinesis.

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teleport ² American  

[tel-uh-pawrt, -pohrt] / ˈtɛl əˌpɔrt, -ˌpoʊrt /

noun

1. a regional telecommunications network that provides access to communications satellites and other long distance media; telecommunications hub.

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teleport British  

/ ˈtɛlɪˌpɔːt /

verb

1. (tr) (in science fiction) to transport (a person or object) across a distance instantaneously

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Other Word Forms

• teleportage noun
• teleportation noun

Etymology

Origin of teleport¹

1950–55; back formation from teleportation, equivalent to tele- ¹ + (trans)portation

Origin of teleport²

First recorded in 1980–85; tele- ¹ + port ¹

Explanation

To teleport is to disappear and then reappear at a different place. If you’re waiting in line in the freezing cold, you probably wish you could teleport yourself inside to the concert. Unfortunately, we can’t really teleport yet. On Star Trek and in other science fiction, people teleport all the time. They are zapped, then they disappear and then reappear somewhere else, like on a different planet. If you could teleport, you wouldn't have to drive a car, fly in a plane, or even walk anywhere: you could simply teleport there. The word is made up of tele, which is Greek for “distance,” and French portare for “carry.”

Example Sentences

The founder of the Michigan-based technology company Aperture Science, he’s invented a portal gun that allows people to teleport to various locations.

From Science Magazine • Jan. 19, 2023

Hundreds of these “quantum” science videos claim that quantum cosmology allows humans to literally teleport between different realities or communicate telepathically with their past and future selves.

From Slate • Oct. 20, 2022

He's also a guy who can be persuaded to put down his books for a second and teleport to a karaoke bar to bust out a rendition of "Hotel California."

From Salon • Sep. 10, 2022

Infants as young as three months know that a ball no longer in sight still exists and that the ball can’t teleport from behind the couch to the top of the refrigerator.

From Scientific American • Jul. 11, 2022

If your enemy’s Artifact is within your line of sight, then using this power-up will automatically teleport that Artifact straight into your hands, instantly winning your team the game.

From "Warcross" by Marie Lu

Related Words

• beam