transmitter
gb/tɹænzmˈɪtɚ/ us/tɹænzmˈɪtɚ/
B2
English
~ 8400
Senses
0 senses
Noun
technical
B2
entity
1
Electronic device that sends signals
A piece of electronic equipment that sends radio, TV, or data signals to another device far away.
Usage pattern:
[a transmitter] sends [signals] to [a receiver or network]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse a "transmitter" with a "receiver". A transmitter sends out signals; a receiver takes them in. Another mistake is using "transmitter" for any device that communicates, even when a more natural term is "router", "phone mast", or "Wi‑Fi hotspot"; "transmitter" usually refers to the part that actually sends the signal.
Synonyms
sender (A more general term for something that sends signals or messages; not limited to electronic devices.)
Antonyms
receiver (A receiver takes in the signals that a transmitter sends out, so it performs the opposite function.)
Collocations
radio transmitter
|wireless transmitter
|FM transmitter
|powerful transmitter
|satellite transmitter
|install a transmitter
Themes
technology
|communication
|science
Examples
- The radio station had to shut down its main transmitter for maintenance.
- Engineers are testing a new transmitter that can send data to the satellite more efficiently.
- Each mobile phone communicates with the nearest transmitter on the cell tower.
- A small FM transmitter lets you play music from your phone through your car stereo.
- The airport upgraded its radar transmitter to improve safety in bad weather.
Learner examples
- The radio cannot work without a transmitter.
- This tower has a strong transmitter that sends signals to the city.
- Our phones talk to a transmitter on the hill.
- The TV station bought a new digital transmitter.
- They turned off the old transmitter last year.
Noun
C1
entity
2
Person or thing that passes something on
A person or thing that carries and passes information, ideas, or other things from one person or place to another.
Usage pattern:
[someone/something] is a transmitter of [information/ideas/disease]
Common mistake:
Learners often prefer more common words like "carrier", "source", or "messenger". "Transmitter" in this sense is more formal and is often used in academic or scientific writing. It is not normally used for everyday actions like passing a message to a friend, where "messenger" or "go-between" would be more natural.
Synonyms
carrier (Often used for people, animals, or things that pass on disease or information; slightly more common in everyday and medical contexts than "transmitter" in this sense.)
Antonyms
recipient (A recipient receives something (like information or a gift), whereas a transmitter passes it on to others.)
Collocations
transmitter of culture
|transmitter of knowledge
|transmitter of values
|transmitter of disease
|primary transmitter
Themes
communication
|society
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Teachers are key transmitters of cultural values to the next generation.
- Mosquitoes are the main transmitters of the virus in this region.
- The family acts as a transmitter of traditions from one generation to the next.
- Social media has become a powerful transmitter of both accurate and false information.
- In this study, children were identified as important transmitters of the infection.
Learner examples
- Mosquitoes are transmitters of many diseases.
- Parents are transmitters of language and values.
- The news is a transmitter of information to the public.
- Flies can be transmitters of germs.
- Schools are transmitters of culture and ideas.
Grammar
Dictionary form
transmitter
IPA
GB/tɹænzmˈɪtɚ/
US/tɹænzmˈɪtɚ/
Syllables & stress
trans - mit - ter (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (mit)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: transmitter
- Plural: transmitters
Word family
Forms
transmitters
noun
Core family
transmit
verb B2
transmission
noun B1
Related words
transmissible
adjective
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.