transmission

transmission — noun

1. the sending of electronic signals, radio waves, or digital content through the a

1.nounB2
Definition

the sending of electronic signals, radio waves, or digital content through the air, cables, or online networks, or the programme or message that is sent in this way

Example

The radio station's digital transmission reached listeners across three countries.

noun phrase: digital transmission as subject

Sirin recorded the live transmission of the concert on her tablet.

Common collocations
  • digital transmission
  • radio transmission
  • live transmission
  • satellite transmission
  • data transmission
  • encrypted transmission
Synonyms
  • broadcast

    implies public distribution to a wide audience; transmission can be point-to-point

  • signal

    focuses on the electronic waves themselves rather than the full message

  • feed

    describes a continuous, often live, video or audio stream (especially in news)

  • relay

    implies passing through intermediate stations or equipment

Antonyms
  • reception

    the receiving side of the communication process

Grammar Patterns

transmission + of + [content]

Usage Note

Commonly modified by technology-related adjectives (digital, satellite, radio, live, encrypted). The preposition 'of' introduces the type of content being sent; 'by' or 'via' introduces the medium or method.

Common Mistakes

I missed the transmission last night because my internet was down.' (when meaning a specific programme)
I missed the broadcast last night because my internet was down.
'transmission' emphasises the technical act of sending, not the scheduled programme as content.

2. the movement of something intangible — such as a disease, an idea, or informatio

2.nounB2
Definition

the movement of something intangible — such as a disease, an idea, or information — from one person, group, or generation to another

Example

Doctors warned about the rapid transmission of the virus through crowded indoor spaces.

collocation: transmission of [disease]

Closing schools helped reduce the transmission of the infection among children.

collocation: reduce transmission

Common collocations
  • disease transmission
  • virus transmission
  • cultural transmission
  • mode of transmission
  • transmission rate
  • chain of transmission
Synonyms
  • spread

    more general, less formal; often suggests uncontrolled movement

  • transfer

    implies deliberate movement from one holder or location to another

  • dissemination

    formal; typically used for information, ideas, or knowledge

  • communication

    specifically about information exchange between people

Antonyms
  • containment

    the act of stopping something from spreading further

Grammar Patterns

transmission + of + [disease/information/idea]

Usage Note

The preposition 'of' marks what is being passed; 'from' and 'to' mark the source and destination. Most frequent in medical contexts (disease transmission), but also common in cultural and information studies.

Common Mistakes

The transmission of the gift took three days by courier.
The delivery of the gift took three days by courier.
'transmission' applies to intangible items (diseases, ideas, signals), not physical objects shipped in packages.

3. the set of mechanical parts in a car or other vehicle that moves the engine's po

3.nounB2
Definition

the set of mechanical parts in a car or other vehicle that moves the engine's power to the wheels so the vehicle can move

Example

The mechanic inspected the car's automatic transmission for any signs of wear.

collocation: automatic transmission

Rohan's truck needed a new transmission after the long cross-country trip.

Common collocations
  • automatic transmission
  • manual transmission
  • transmission fluid
  • transmission failure
  • transmission repair
  • continuously variable transmission
Synonyms
  • gearbox

    refers more narrowly to the gear assembly; common in British English for manual types

  • drivetrain

    the broader system including the transmission, driveshaft, differential, and axles

  • powertrain

    includes the engine as well as the transmission and drivetrain

Grammar Patterns

[adjective] + transmission

Usage Note

In everyday British English, 'gearbox' is more common for manual transmissions; 'transmission' is standard in American English for all types. Frequently modified by 'automatic', 'manual', or 'CVT' (continuously variable transmission).

Common Mistakes

My transmission is low on oil so I need to top it up.
My transmission is low on fluid so I need to refill it.
Vehicle transmissions use specialised 'transmission fluid,' not standard engine oil.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Transmission, broadcast, signal, feed, and relay all relate to sending electronic information, but they differ in scope and function. Transmission is the broadest term, covering any act of sending information regardless of medium or audience size. Broadcast specifically refers to public transmission intended for a wide, general audience via radio or television. Signal focuses on the electronic waves or pulses themselves rather than the encoded content. Feed describes a continuous, often live, stream of video or audio, especially in news or surveillance settings. Relay implies receiving and re-sending a transmission through intermediate equipment. For example, a satellite relay is a type of transmission; a nightly news program is a broadcast; the raw footage entering a newsroom is a feed; and an engineer checks the signal strength during a transmission.

broadcast ↗signal ↗feed ↗relay ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • mode of transmission
  • means of transmission
  • chain of transmission
  • transmission system

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

From Latin 'transmissio' (a sending across), formed from 'trans-' (across, beyond) and 'missio' (a sending, release), which comes from 'mittere' (to send). The word entered English in the early 1600s, first referring to the general act of passing something on. The specific vehicle-machinery sense developed in the early 1900s with the rise of the automobile industry.