Retransmit: meaning, definitions and examples

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retransmit

 

[ ˌriːtrænˈsmɪt ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

communication technology

To retransmit means to send again, especially in the context of electronic signals or data. This term is often used in telecommunications to indicate that a message or signal is being sent a second time, ensuring that the information reaches its intended destination.

Synonyms

forward, re-send, re-serve

Examples of usage

  • The satellite was used to retransmit the television signals.
  • The server will retransmit the data if it is not received correctly.
  • We need to retransmit this message to all users.

Word origin

The word 'retransmit' is derived from the prefix 're-', which signifies repetition or 'again', and 'transmit', which comes from the Latin 'transmittre'. The Latin term 'transmittre' is composed of 'trans-', meaning 'across' or 'beyond', and 'mittere', meaning 'to send'. This combination captures the essence of sending something across, and when 're-' is added, it emphasizes the act of sending it again. The term began to see usage in the 20th century, particularly with advancements in communication technology, such as radio and satellite transmissions, and it has since been applied broadly in fields involving data communication, broadcasting, and networking.