trans·fer
tran(t)s-ˈfər 
ˈtran(t)s-ˌfər
ˈtran(t)s-ˌfər
transferred; transferring
1
2
: to make over the possession or control of : convey
3
: to print or otherwise copy from one surface to another by contact
1
: to move to a different place, region, or situation
especially
: to withdraw from one educational institution to enroll at another
2
: to change from one vehicle or transportation line to another
trans·fer
ˈtran(t)s-ˌfər
1
a
: conveyance of right, title, or interest in real or personal property from one person to another
b
: removal or acquisition of property by mere delivery with intent to transfer title
2
a
: an act, process, or instance of transferring : transference sense 2
b
: the carryover or generalization of learned responses from one type of situation to another
3
: one that transfers or is transferred
especially
: a graphic image transferred by contact from one surface to another
4
: a place where a transfer is made (as of trains to ferries or as where one form of power is changed to another)
5
: a ticket entitling a passenger on a public conveyance to continue the trip on another route
Examples of transfer in a Sentence
Verb
We transferred the baby's car seat to the other car.
The patient was transferred to a different hospital.
transfer data on the hard drive to a disk
He transferred my call to another line.
The virus is transferred by mosquitoes.
He transferred control of the company to his son.
She was able to transfer her organizational skills to her new job.
Her skills transferred well to her new job.
Noun
We switched to another car, and the transfer only took a few minutes.
They arranged for a transfer of the prisoner to a different prison.
a material that reduces heat transfer
speeding up data transfer between computers
We are doing everything possible to ensure a smooth transfer to the new system.
a transfer by deed or will
a transfer to the home office
My overseas transfer has been approved.
Recent Examples on the Web
Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2025
So why is Ewers, who reportedly entered the 2025 draft despite getting $3-4 million offers to transfer to another college program, being treated differently from the rest of his rookie classmates?
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 26 Oct. 2025
Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
Ole Miss will again be leaning on Division II transfer quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, who’s gone from leading Ferris State to a national title to trying to lead the Rebels to the Playoff.
—The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for transfer
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Verb
House Democrats have urged Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins to provide funding for November SNAP benefits, noting the department can use the program's contingency fund and transfer other dollars to support the program through next month.
—Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2025
So why is Ewers, who reportedly entered the 2025 draft despite getting $3-4 million offers to transfer to another college program, being treated differently from the rest of his rookie classmates?
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 26 Oct. 2025
Noun
Some 42 million Americans collect SNAP benefits, which are paid monthly onto electronic benefit transfer cards.
—Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
Ole Miss will again be leaning on Division II transfer quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, who’s gone from leading Ferris State to a national title to trying to lead the Rebels to the Playoff.
—The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for transfer
Cite this Entry
“Transfer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/transfer. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
transfer
1 of 2 verb
trans·fer
tran(t)s-ˈfər
ˈtran(t)s-ˌfər
ˈtran(t)s-ˌfər
transferred; transferring
1
a
: to pass from one person, place, or situation to another
b
: to cause to pass from one to another
2
: to give over the possession or ownership of
3
: to move to a different place, region, or situation
especially
: to withdraw from one school to enroll at another
4
: to change from one vehicle or transportation line to another
transferable
adjective
tran(t)s-ˈfər-ə-bəl
transfer
2 of 2 noun
trans·fer
ˈtran(t)s-ˌfər
1
: a giving over of right, title, or interest in property by one person to another
2
: an act, process, or example of transferring
3
: one that transfers or is transferred
4
: a graphic image transferred by contact from one surface to another
5
: a place where a transfer is made (as from trains to ferries)
6
: a ticket permitting a passenger on a bus or train to continue the journey by another route
Etymology
Verb
Middle English transferren "to transfer," from Latin transferre (same meaning), from trans- "across, through" and ferre "to bear, carry" — related to defer entry 1, fertile
Medical Definition
transfer
noun
trans·fer
ˈtran(t)s-ˌfər
1
2
: the carryover or generalization of learned responses from one type of situation to another see negative transfer
Legal Definition
transfer
1 of 2 transitive verb
trans·fer
trans-ˈfər, ˈtrans-ˌfər
transferred; transferring
: to cause a transfer of
transferral
noun
trans-ˈfər-əl
transfer
2 of 2 noun
trans·fer
ˈtrans-ˌfər
1
: a conveyance of a right, title, or interest in real or personal property from one person or entity to another
2
: a passing of something from one to another
transfer of venue
the transfer of power
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