transit
Transit (noun) means the act or process of passing through or across a place. Example: “The goods were damaged in transit.”
How to use transit
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe act of travelling through or across, or a public transport system.
Word forms
transited past tense, transits plural, Transits plural, transits singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The goods were damaged in _____.
Etymology
From French, ultimately from Latin "transire" — "trans-" ("across") plus "ire" ("to go").
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “transit” mean?
The word “transit” means the act or process of passing through or across a place. In plain terms, the act of travelling through or across, or a public transport system.
How do you pronounce “transit”?
“Transit” is pronounced TRAN-ziht (/ˈtɹæn.zɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “transit” in a sentence?
Here is “transit” used in a sentence: “The goods were damaged in transit.”
What part of speech is “transit”?
Depending on how it is used, “transit” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “transit” come from?
The word “transit” comes from Latin. From French, ultimately from Latin "transire" — "trans-" ("across") plus "ire" ("to go").
Is “transit” a common word?
“Transit” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “transit” have?
“Transit” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the act or process of passing through or across a place.
What is the difference between "transit" and "transport"?
"Transit" refers to the act of passing through or across a place, or to a public transport system itself, especially in North American usage. "Transport" more generally means the moving of people or goods and the means of doing so; "in transit" describes goods on the way, while "public transit" names the system that carries passengers.
What is the difference between "transit" and "transitional"?
"Transit" is a noun about passing through a place or a public transport system, as in "mass transit" or "in transit." "Transitional" is an adjective meaning relating to a change from one state to another, as in "a transitional period," so the two are not interchangeable.
What is "mass transit"?
"Mass transit" is a fixed phrase for public transport systems that move large numbers of people, such as buses, subways, and trains. It draws on the sense of "transit" as a system of public transportation and the vehicles used in it.
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