transcript

American  

[tran-skript] / ˈtræn skrɪpt /

noun

1. a written, typewritten, or printed copy; something transcribed or made by transcribing.

2. an exact copy or reproduction, especially one having an official status.

3. an official report supplied by a school on the record of an individual student, listing subjects studied, grades received, etc.

4. a form of something as rendered from one alphabet or language into another.

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transcript British  

/ ˈtrænskrɪpt /

noun

1. a written, typed, or printed copy or manuscript made by transcribing

2. education an official record of a student's school progress and achievements

3. any reproduction or copy

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Etymology

Origin of transcript

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English, from Latin trānscrīptum “thing copied,” noun use of neuter of past participle of trānscrībere “to copy off,” literally, “to write across”; see transcribe

Explanation

A transcript is a written record of something. You could read a transcript of a speech or a transcript of all the classes a student has attended at a school (yawn). The word script in transcript is a clue that this word means something written. One type of transcript is a record of something spoken, such as a transcript of testimony given in court. Newspapers will often publish transcripts of major speeches by the President. Also, a transcript is a type of record, especially from a school. When applying for jobs, you might need to ask your college to send a transcript: an official record of your classes and grades.

Example Sentences

Illustrated excerpts are taken from Phoenix Ikner chats with ChatGPT, according to a transcript of the exchanges reviewed by The Wall Street Journal.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 3, 2026

It is reading a cold transcript under a regime of extreme deference, where a claim that feels powerful can still founder if the justices conclude that Mississippi’s reading of the record was at least reasonable.

From Slate • Apr. 10, 2026

A fair-minded reading of the transcript suggests that Bartholomew is right.

From Salon • Apr. 4, 2026

“In the current operating environment, which has been challenging and uncertain for some time now, I consider this to be positive,” Whiting said, according to a FactSet transcript.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 26, 2026

I don’t remember whether she inspected my transcript before or after I announced my interest in joining my brother at Princeton the following fall.

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama

Related Words

• manuscript
• transcription
• translation