-io

an action, process, or result

Forms

-io
-ion- — The longer form used before Latin endings.
-ion — The form carried into many English nouns.

Origin

An old Latin noun ending, inherited from earlier Indo-European word formation.

Note

The ending can name both an activity and what that activity produces.

365 / 371

noun

transmission

tranz-MISH-un/trænzˈmɪʃn/

The passing of something from one point to another.

The antenna's transmission carries signals through space to the receiver.

A radio antenna sends curved signal waves toward a distant small receiver; restrained clean educational illustration.

Etymology

transLatinacross, beyond; from one side to another

+missLatinsend, let go, release

+ionLatinan action, process, or result

The pieces express an act of sending across. The selected meaning preserves that central idea: something is conveyed onward from one place to another.

In context

The Scottish Parliament18:16

Omicron is rapidly spreading and it poses a real difficulty for us. One of the ways in which we can help to slow its transmission is by complying with all the protections.

First Minister's Questions - 9 December 2021

More examples

Washing your hands helps reduce the transmission of disease.
These lines handle the transmission of electricity across the state.
The car's transmission transfers engine power to the wheels.

Forms

transmission · transmissions

transmit verb — Send something from one place to another.

transmissible adjective — Capable of being passed on to others.

Similar words

transfer: Emphasizes moving something between locations, owners, or systems.
communication: Emphasizes sharing information rather than moving power or disease.