translation

noun

trans·​la·​tion tran(t)s-ˈlā-shən 

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

tran(t)s-ˈlā-sh(ə-)nəl 

tranz-

adjective

Synonyms

• paraphrase
• rephrasing
• restatement
• restating
• rewording
• translating

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

China’s Office of the Tariff Commission of the State Council said that tariffs on U.S. goods will rise to 84% from 34% starting on April 10, according to a translation of the announcement. —Chloe Taylor,jenni Reid,sawdah Bhaimiya,sophie Kiderlin, CNBC, 9 Apr. 2025

On Wednesday, China pushed back by raising tariffs from 35% to 84% on U.S. goods entering China starting April 10, according to a translation of a Office of the Tariff Commission of the State Council. —Joey Garrison, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2025

With members like Iraq, Kazakhstan and the U.A.E. adding to capacity, pressure on the remaining members (translation Saudi Arabia) can only grow. —Michael Lynch, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025

By 2010, Joseph had made immense progress with her translation work and was responsible for training new writers. —Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing translation

• in translation
• loan translation
• lose (something) in translation

Rhymes for translation

• ablation
• bination
• carnation
• cassation
• castration
• causation
• centration
• cessation
• cetacean
• chelation
• citation
• collation

Kids Definition

translation

noun

trans·​la·​tion tran(t)s-ˈlā-shən 

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- 

: the process of forming a protein molecule at a ribosomal site of protein synthesis from information contained in messenger RNA compare transcription

translational

-shnəl, -shən-ᵊl 

adjective