translation

[ trans-ley-shuhn, tranz- ]

/ trænsˈleɪ ʃən, trænz- /

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Definition of translation

noun

the rendering of something into another language or into one's own from another language.

a version of such a rendering: a new translation of Plato.

change or conversion to another form, appearance, etc.; transformation: a swift translation of thought into action.

the act or process of translating.

the state of being translated.

Mechanics. motion in which all particles of a body move with the same velocity along parallel paths.

Telegraphy. the retransmitting or forwarding of a message, as by relay.

Mathematics.

a function obtained from a given function by adding the same constant to each value of the variable of the given function and moving the graph of the function a constant distance to the right or left.
a transformation in which every point of a geometric figure is moved the same distance in the same direction.

Genetics. the process by which a messenger RNA molecule specifies the linear sequence of amino acids on a ribosome for protein synthesis.Compare genetic code.

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Idioms about translation

lose something in translation. See entry at lose in translation.

Origin of translation

First recorded in 1300–50; from Latin trānslātiōn- (stem of trānslātiō ) “a transferring,” equivalent to trānslāt(us) (see translate) + -iōn- -ion; replacing Middle English translacioun, from Anglo-French, from Latin, as above

synonym study for translation

2. Translation , paraphrase , version refer to a rewording of something. A translation is a rendering of the same ideas in a different language from the original: a translation from Greek into English. A paraphrase is a free rendering of the sense of a passage in other words, usually in the same language: a paraphrase of a poem. A version is a translation, especially of the Bible, or else an account of something illustrating a particular point of view: the Douay Version.

OTHER WORDS FROM translation

trans·la·tion·al, adjectivetrans·la·tion·al·ly, adverbpre·trans·la·tion, nounre·trans·la·tion, noun

Words nearby translation

Transkeian, transketolation, transl., translanguaging, translate, translation, translation dictionary, translation of axes, translative, translator, transliterate

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use translation in a sentence

When Mulan returns to the imperial court, the emperor offers her prizes and promotions, but Mulan asks only for a steed — in some translations a horse, in others a donkey — so that she can go back home to her family.
The history of Mulan, from a 6th-century ballad to the live-action Disney movie|Constance Grady|September 4, 2020|Vox
Nevertheless, this complicated shape allowed the three researchers to access the rich theory of translation surfaces.
Mathematicians Report New Discovery About the Dodecahedron|Erica Klarreich|August 31, 2020|Quanta Magazine
“The conditions are being formed in the country in which a tech business cannot function,” the letter reads, according to a translation from Radio Free Europe.
Belarus’s crackdown could squash Minsk’s budding tech sector|Nicolás Rivero|August 20, 2020|Quartz
For instance, it has a strategic agreement with Alibaba Cloud to embed its translation services in the company’s technology.
How China surveils the world|Tate Ryan-Mosley|August 19, 2020|MIT Technology Review

At face value, it might look like its services are used to improve translation quality, but in reality they are also used to build other products, including products connected to national security work.
How China surveils the world|Tate Ryan-Mosley|August 19, 2020|MIT Technology Review
One is, of course, inevitably up against the problem of translation when speaking of names.
Does Pope Francis Believe Christians and Muslims Worship the Same God?|Jay Parini|December 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The translation agency only advertises for girls with “no complexes”: code for being prepared to bed the client.
Russia’s Gold Digger Academy|Peter Pomerantsev|November 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A look at the new translation of the works of Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz.
Sor Juana: Mexico’s Most Erotic Poet and Its Most Dangerous Nun|Katie Baker|November 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Translation: What plays to the base is not what plays to the middle.
Is Caring About Climate Change an Essential Part of LGBT Identity?|Jay Michaelson|September 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
CNN did the helpful translation for us, though: Duck Dynasty was simply too profitable for A&E to halt filming.
Phil Robertson’s Despicable AIDS Argument Should Be the Last Straw|Kevin Fallon|September 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In the following words, the vowels have no figure value, hence in translation are never counted.
Assimilative Memory|Marcus Dwight Larrowe (AKA Prof. A. Loisette)
Christopher Smart, an English poet and miscellaneous writer, died; known by a popular translation of Horace.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology|Joel Munsell
His sayings come to us through several hands, and through more than one translation.
God and my Neighbour|Robert Blatchford
Messrs. Thomas Nelson and Sons have generously co-operated in permitting the use of the best translation.
His Last Week|William E. Barton
The translation should be compared with the original F. text, as given below it.
Chaucer's Works, Volume 1 (of 7) -- Romaunt of the Rose; Minor Poems|Geoffrey Chaucer

British Dictionary definitions for translation

translation

/ (trænsˈleɪʃən, trænz-) /

noun

something that is or has been translated, esp a written text

the act of translating or the state of being translated

maths a transformation in which the origin of a coordinate system is moved to another position so that each axis retains the same direction or, equivalently, a figure or curve is moved so that it retains the same orientation to the axes

Derived forms of translation

translational, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for translation

translation

[ trăns-lā′shən, trănz- ]

The act or process of translating, especially from one language into another.

The state of being translated.

A translated version of a text.

The process by which mRNA, tRNA, and ribosomes effect the production of a protein molecule from amino acids, the specificity of synthesis being controlled by the base sequences of the mRNA.

Movement of a tooth through alveolar bone without change in axial inclination.

Other words from translation

trans•la′tion•al adj.

Scientific definitions for translation

translation

[ trăns-lā′shən ]

Biochemistry The process in the ribosomes of a cell by which a strand of messenger RNA directs the assembly of a sequence of amino acids to make a protein. Compare transcription.

Physics Motion of a body in which every point of the body moves parallel to and the same distance as every other point of the body.

Mathematics The changing of the coordinates of points to coordinates that are referred to new axes that are parallel to the old axes.

translation

Definition of translation

Idioms about translation

Origin of translation

synonym study for translation

OTHER WORDS FROM translation

Words nearby translation

Words related to translation

How to use translation in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for translation

Derived forms of translation

Medical definitions for translation

Other words from translation

Scientific definitions for translation