retranslate

verb

re·​trans·​late ˌrē-tran(t)s-ˈlāt How to pronounce retranslate (audio)
-tranz-
retranslated; retranslating; retranslates

transitive verb

: to translate (a translation) into another language
also : to give a new form to

intransitive verb

: to retranslate something
retranslation
ˌrē-tran(t)s-ˈlā-shən How to pronounce retranslate (audio)
-tranz-
noun

Examples of retranslate in a Sentence

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.
Errors are a danger, especially when words are retranslated from English into other languages. — New York Times, 4 July 2019 The expert retranslated a primary record of the Grayback’s sinking and found that the longitude differed from a record created in 1946. — Fox News, 11 Nov. 2019 The most obvious embodiment of this trend was the Saturday headliner Billie Eilish, who has achieved superstar status by seeming to retranslate the great American songbook into occult-ritual hymns. — Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2022

Word History

First Known Use

1750, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of retranslate was in 1750

Rhymes for retranslate

See All Rhymes for retranslate

Browse Nearby Words

retransform
retranslate
retransmission
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Retranslate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/retranslate. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

retranslate

verb
re·​trans·​late ˌrē-tran(t)s-ˈlāt How to pronounce retranslate (audio)
-tranz-
: to translate into another language
retranslated the German translation into English
retranslation
-ˈlā-shən How to pronounce retranslate (audio)
noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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