transom

[ tran-suhm ]

noun

1. a crosspiece separating a door or the like from a window or fanlight above it.
2. Also called transom light, a window above such a crosspiece.
3. a crossbar of wood or stone, dividing a window horizontally.
4. a window so divided.
5. Nautical.
   1. a flat termination to a stern, above the water line.
   2. framework running athwartships in way of the sternpost of a steel or iron vessel, used as a support for the frames of the counter.
6. Artillery. a metal piece connecting the sidepieces of the tail or the cheeks of a gun carriage.

transom

/ ˈtrænsəm /

noun

1. See mullion
   Also calledtraverse a horizontal member across a window Compare mullion
2. a horizontal member that separates a door from a window over it
3. See fanlight
   the usual US name for fanlight
4. nautical
   1. a surface forming the stern of a vessel, either vertical or canted either forwards ( reverse transom ) or aft at the upper side
   2. any of several transverse beams used for strengthening the stern of a vessel

Derived Forms

• ˈtransomed, adjective

Other Words From

• transomed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of transom¹

1325–75; late Middle English traunsum, traunsom, Middle English transyn, probably alteration (by association with trans- ) of traversayn < Old French traversin crosspiece, derivative of travers breadth; traverse

Word History and Origins

Origin of transom¹

C14: earlier traversayn , from Old French traversin , from traverse

Example Sentences

They’re hoping that some outside experience comes over the transom and shows them what they want to do.

From Freakonomics

News does not come over the transom; reporters have to work hard to get it.

From The Daily Beast

Plus, Con Ed gets first dibs on whatever comes over the transom.

From The Daily Beast

Instantly a sweet voice was heard through the open transom of the door behind which her thoughts were already concentrated.

From Project Gutenberg

No one knew when he slept, while curious whirring noises were heard over the transom after the fall of night.

From Project Gutenberg

He had the Yankee body, lank and ribbed, and was so tall that his head seemed always looking over a transom.

From Project Gutenberg

The transom was open, leaving an aperture of about three inches.

From Project Gutenberg

Again Morgan lifted his eyes to the midnight orbs beyond the transom.

From Project Gutenberg