translation

noun

trans·​la·​tion tran(t)s-ˈlā-shən How to pronounce translation (audio)
tranz-
1
: an act, process, or instance of translating: such as
a
: a rendering from one language into another
also : the product of such a rendering
b
: a change to a different substance, form, or appearance : conversion
c(1)
: a transformation of coordinates in which the new axes are parallel to the old ones
(2)
: uniform motion of a body in a straight line
2
: the process of forming a protein molecule at a ribosomal site of protein synthesis from information contained in messenger RNA compare transcription sense 3
translational adjective

Examples of translation in a Sentence

She is working on a translation of the novel. a new translation of the Iliad There were English translations on the menu. the translation of economic power into political strength
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The guidance encourages agencies to explore alternatives such as artificial intelligence and machine translation where minimal assistance in other languages remains appropriate. Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 14 July 2025 And, over time, fewer new European priests arrived in Kongo, making translation less necessary. Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 12 July 2025 Perhaps the most audacious and enduring effort by a Western leader to alter political speech came in 1604 when newly installed King James I of England ordered 47 leading Biblical scholars to develop a new Bible translation. Bruce Yandle, Twin Cities, 10 July 2025 Step 2: Platform dialect translation Let’s talk dialects for a minute. Renae Gregoire, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for translation

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of translation was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Translation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/translation. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

translation

noun
trans·​la·​tion tran(t)s-ˈlā-shən How to pronounce translation (audio)
tranz-
1
: an act, process, or product of translating
2
: the process of forming a protein molecule from information contained in a messenger RNA molecule compare transcription sense 3

Medical Definition

translation

noun
trans·​la·​tion tran(t)s-ˈlā-shən, tranz- How to pronounce translation (audio)
: the process of forming a protein molecule at a ribosomal site of protein synthesis from information contained in messenger RNA compare transcription
translational adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on translation

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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