Transit: meaning, definitions and examples

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transit

 

[ ˈtrænzɪt ]

Noun / Verb
Context #1 | Noun

public transportation

The act or fact of passing across or through; conveyance or transportation from one place to another, as of persons or goods, especially, local public transportation.

Synonyms

conveyance, journey, transportation.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
transit

This word is often used when talking about the act of passing through somewhere during a journey, especially in a logistical or transportation context.

  • The package is currently in transit
  • The transit of goods across the border was smooth
transportation

This word is commonly used to discuss the means or system of moving people or goods from one place to another.

  • Public transportation includes buses, trains, and subways
  • Efficient transportation is essential for a thriving city
conveyance

This term is usually used in more formal contexts, often referring to the act of transporting someone or something from one place to another.

  • The conveyance of goods is handled by the shipping department
  • The conveyance of passengers is regulated by strict safety laws
journey

Use this word when referring to a long trip or travel from one place to another, often implying a personal experience or adventure.

  • The journey was long but rewarding
  • She embarked on a journey to discover her roots

Examples of usage

  • I usually take the bus for my daily transit to work.
  • The city has invested in improving transit systems for its residents.
Context #2 | Noun

astronomy

The passage of a celestial body across the observer's meridian.

Synonyms

crossing, movement, passage.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
transit

Used when referring to the act of passing through a place on the way to a final destination, often in relation to transportation systems or logistics.

  • The package is currently in transit and should arrive by the end of the week.
  • They had a short layover in Istanbul during their transit to Tokyo.
passage

Often used to describe the act of going from one place to another, especially in a more poetic or formal context. It can also refer to a corridor or a journey by sea.

  • The passage through the mountains was treacherous but beautiful.
  • She found a hidden passage behind the bookshelf.
crossing

Typically refers to a place where people or vehicles can cross something, such as a road, railway, or body of water. It can also imply a journey across something significant.

  • The children waited at the crossing for the traffic light to turn green.
  • Their crossing of the river was fraught with challenges.
movement

Describes the action of changing physical location or position, or can be used more broadly to refer to social or political movements.

  • The swift movement of the troops surprised their opponents.
  • The civil rights movement brought significant change to the country.

Examples of usage

  • The transit of Mercury can be observed with special telescopes.
  • Astronomers study the transits of planets to gather data.
Context #3 | Verb

change

To pass across or through, to make a transit across.

Synonyms

cross, pass, travel.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
transit

Used when talking about the act of moving through or across a place, often referring to the logistics of transportation or travel through a region.

  • The package is in transit and will arrive by Friday.
  • He used the airport as a transit point on his journey.
cross

Typically used when someone moves from one side of something to the other, such as crossing a street, river, or border.

  • We need to cross the bridge to get to the other side.
  • They crossed the desert on foot.
pass

Often used when moving by or through something without stopping, or when time goes by. Can also imply overcoming an obstacle or a course.

  • We will pass the old church on our way to the market.
  • Three years have passed since we last met.
  • He managed to pass the exam on his first try.
travel

Used to describe the general act of going from one place to another, often over long distances or for the purpose of exploration and leisure.

  • They love to travel to new countries every summer.
  • I have to travel for work frequently.

Examples of usage

  • The goods will transit through multiple countries before reaching their destination.
  • The train will transit through several stations before arriving at the final stop.

Translations

Translations of the word "transit" in other languages:

🇵🇹 trânsito

🇮🇳 पारगमन

🇩🇪 Transit

🇮🇩 transit

🇺🇦 транзит

🇵🇱 tranzyt

🇯🇵 トランジット

🇫🇷 transit

🇪🇸 tránsito

🇹🇷 transit

🇰🇷 통과

🇸🇦 عبور

🇨🇿 tranzit

🇸🇰 tranzit

🇨🇳 过境

🇸🇮 tranzit

🇮🇸 umferð

🇰🇿 транзит

🇬🇪 ტრანზიტი

🇦🇿 tranzit

🇲🇽 tránsito

Etymology

The word 'transit' originated from the Latin word 'transitus', which means 'a going across or over'. It first appeared in the English language in the 15th century. Over time, the term evolved to encompass various meanings related to transportation and movement. Today, 'transit' is commonly used to describe the act of passing through or across, whether in the context of public transportation, astronomy, or changing locations.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #4,348, this word represents useful upper-intermediate vocabulary. Understanding and using it will help you express more complex ideas effectively.