transmission line: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal / Technical
Quick answer
What does “transmission line” mean?
A physical conductor or structure used to efficiently transfer electrical power or signals between two points over a distance.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A physical conductor or structure used to efficiently transfer electrical power or signals between two points over a distance.
Any medium designed for efficient point-to-point transfer of energy or information, including in contexts like radio frequency systems, fibre optics, or telecommunications.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or primary usage. The visual term 'pylon' is more common in UK English when referring to overhead structures supporting power lines, while 'utility pole' or 'transmission tower' is more typical in US English.
Connotations
Associated with national grid infrastructure, power distribution, and telecommunications engineering in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally technical and low-frequency in both dialects, used primarily in engineering, physics, and utility sectors.
Grammar
How to Use “transmission line” in a Sentence
Transmission line + from + [place A] + to + [place B]Transmission line + for + [type of energy/signal]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “transmission line” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The signal is transmitted along the line.
American English
- The utility will transmit the power via the new line.
adverb
British English
- The signal travelled transmission-line efficiently.
American English
- The data was sent transmission-line securely.
adjective
British English
- The transmission-line theory is fundamental to RF engineering.
American English
- We need to check the transmission-line capacity.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
In business, refers to critical infrastructure projects, investment in grid capacity, or regulatory issues concerning power distribution networks.
Academic
Used in electrical engineering, telecommunications, and physics courses and papers to describe the theory and practice of guided wave propagation.
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation. May appear in news reports about power outages, infrastructure projects, or renewable energy integration.
Technical
The precise technical term for structures designed for efficient, low-loss transfer of electromagnetic energy, with specific parameters like impedance, attenuation, and propagation constant.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “transmission line”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “transmission line”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “transmission line”
- Using 'transmission line' to refer to a simple electrical cord or household wiring (too low-power/unspecified).
- Confusing it with 'transmission' alone, which often refers to the act of sending or a vehicle's gear system.
- Using it as an uncountable noun (e.g., 'The area has a lot of transmission line').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In the context of electrical power distribution, yes, 'power line' is a common synonym. However, 'transmission line' is a broader technical term that also applies to signal transmission (e.g., in telecommunications, RF systems).
Yes. Transmission lines can be overhead (supported by towers/pylons) or buried underground, especially in urban areas or for submarine communications cables.
In electrical grids, 'transmission lines' carry high-voltage electricity over long distances from power plants to substations. 'Distribution lines' carry lower-voltage electricity from those substations to individual homes and businesses.
Yes, but more specifically. In high-speed digital circuit design (e.g., on motherboards), traces on a circuit board must be treated as transmission lines to prevent signal integrity issues like ringing and crosstalk.
A physical conductor or structure used to efficiently transfer electrical power or signals between two points over a distance.
Transmission line is usually formal / technical in register.
Transmission line: in British English it is pronounced /trænzˈmɪʃn̩ ˌlaɪn/, and in American English it is pronounced /trænzˈmɪʃən ˌlaɪn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms for this specific technical term]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a TRANSMITter needing a LINE to send power or signals. A TRANSMISSION LINE.
Conceptual Metaphor
AN ARTERY FOR ENERGY (carrying vital resources from a source to where they are needed).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'transmission line' LEAST likely to be used?