transact
Americanverb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
verb
Synonym Usage
See perform.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
has transactedperfect 3rd person singular
-
have transactedperfect
-
is transactingprogressive 3rd person singular
-
has been transactingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
-
transactingparticiple
-
have been transactingperfect progressive
-
transactssingular 3rd person
-
am transactingprogressive 1st person singular
-
are transactingprogressive
Past
-
had transactedperfect
-
transactedparticiple
-
was transactingprogressive singular
-
had been transactingperfect progressive
-
transactedsimple
-
were transactingprogressive plural
Future
Etymology
Origin of transact
First recorded in 1575–85; from Latin trānsāctus (past participle of trānsigere “to carry out, accomplish”), equivalent to trāns- “across, beyond, through” + ag(ere) “to drive, lead” + -tus past participle suffix; see trans-
Explanation
The verb transact is almost always used with the word "business." To transact business is to conduct it, as when a shopkeeper sells groceries to a customer. All kinds of business owners and workers transact business, just by following their usual routines of selling, buying, investing, trading, or anything else they do to carry out their work. Shoppers also participate in transacting business — a purchase can also be called a transaction. The Latin root word, transactus, means "to drive through or accomplish."
Vocabulary lists containing transact
Power Prefix: trans-
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Florida's B.E.S.T. Common Prefixes: trans-
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trans-
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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.
Morehead’s thesis is that as AI becomes more widely used, the rise of autonomous agents may eventually need digitally native ways to transact.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 28, 2026
Another sign of the software project’s novel approach: The defense companies, which traditionally transact directly with the Pentagon, are acting as subcontractors to the tech companies in the group.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026
“Our path to profitability is clear: transact with more sellers, strengthen our unit economics through better pricing and resale speed, and drive operational efficiency by being ruthless on expenses,” Nejatian said.
From Barron's • Nov. 7, 2025
“These are people who are in the United States legally and need active Social Security numbers in order to work and transact personal business,” Richtman says.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 16, 2025
“Two or three hours, at least,” said Dr. Trefusis, “to transact their business.”
From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume I: The Pox Party" by M.T. Anderson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
