verb ·Moderate ·High school level

Definitions

Verb

1. 1
   To convert a representation of language, typically speech but also sign language, etc., to a written representation of it. The term now usually implies the conversion of speech to text by a human transcriptionist with the assistance of a computer for word processing and sometimes also for speech recognition, the process of a computer interpreting speech and converting it to text.
2. 2
   convert the genetic information in (a strand of DNA) into a strand of RNA, especially messenger RNA wordnet
3. 3
   To make such a conversion from live or recorded speech to text.

   "The doctor made several recordings today which she will transcribe into medical reports tomorrow."

4. 4
   rewrite in a different script wordnet
5. 5
   To transfer data from one recording medium to another.

Show 6 more definitions

6. 6
   make a phonetic transcription of wordnet
7. 7
   To adapt a composition for a voice or instrument other than the original; to notate live or recorded music.
8. 8
   write out from speech, notes, etc. wordnet
9. 9
   To cause DNA to undergo transcription.
10. 10
    rewrite or arrange a piece of music for an instrument or medium other than that originally intended wordnet
11. 11
    To represent speech by phonetic symbols.

Synonyms

All synonyms

transliterateadaptalphabetalphabetizearrangecapitalize

Example

More examples

"First, in order to get a feel for your favourite author's work, transcribe and copy in full."

Etymology

Learned borrowing from Latin trānscrībere (“to write again in another place, transcribe, copy”).

Related phrases

sign languageword processing

Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.