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
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
Since French is the city’s primary language, Hartney also recommends downloading a translation app just in case.
—
Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 27 Dec. 2025
One of the main figures responsible was Michael Bauer – who works in language services, including translation, and is himself half-Cantonese.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 26 Dec. 2025
This volume of Kemp’s translations includes my favorite Darío poems; their rhymes are lost, but their dreamlike, hypnotic quality is preserved.
—The Atlantic Culture Desk, The Atlantic, 26 Dec. 2025
Users can also reuse the old Google Account email address at any time, according to a Google translation of the support page in Hindi.
—Dylan Butts, CNBC, 26 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for translation
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 27 Dec. 2025
One of the main figures responsible was Michael Bauer – who works in language services, including translation, and is himself half-Cantonese.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 26 Dec. 2025
This volume of Kemp’s translations includes my favorite Darío poems; their rhymes are lost, but their dreamlike, hypnotic quality is preserved.
—The Atlantic Culture Desk, The Atlantic, 26 Dec. 2025
Users can also reuse the old Google Account email address at any time, according to a Google translation of the support page in Hindi.
—Dylan Butts, CNBC, 26 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for translation
Cite this Entry
“Translation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/translation. Accessed 31 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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