transponder: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Technical/Formal
Quick answer
What does “transponder” mean?
An electronic device that receives a radio signal and automatically transmits a different signal in response.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An electronic device that receives a radio signal and automatically transmits a different signal in response.
A device used in telecommunications, aviation, and satellite systems for identification, tracking, and data transmission by responding to an incoming signal.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or semantic differences. Spelling and pronunciation are consistent.
Connotations
Neutral technical term in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in general discourse but standard in technical contexts in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “transponder” in a Sentence
The [noun] has/contains a transponder.The transponder [verbs] a signal.[Noun] is equipped/fitted with a transponder.Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in industries like aviation, logistics, or satellite communications.
Academic
Used in engineering, telecommunications, and aviation studies.
Everyday
Very rare; most would encounter it in news about aviation incidents or satellite TV.
Technical
The primary register. Standard term in aviation, aerospace, and radio frequency identification (RFID).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “transponder”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “transponder”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “transponder”
- Misspelling as 'transpoder' or 'transpounder'.
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'to transponder a signal' is non-standard).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is almost exclusively a noun. The action is described as 'activate/set/use the transponder'.
A transmitter only sends signals. A transponder receives a specific signal and then automatically transmits a response, enabling two-way communication without manual control.
Yes, many modern car keys and toll payment systems use small RFID transponders for identification and access.
It allows the aircraft to send a unique, identifiable code (like 7700 for emergency) to air traffic control radar, instantly alerting them to the situation and providing location data.
An electronic device that receives a radio signal and automatically transmits a different signal in response.
Transponder is usually technical/formal in register.
Transponder: in British English it is pronounced /trænˈspɒn.dər/, and in American English it is pronounced /trænˈspɑːn.dɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Squawk your transponder (aviation slang for setting a transponder code)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: TRANSmitter + resPONDER = TRANSPONDER. It transmits a response.
Conceptual Metaphor
AN ELECTRONIC FINGERPRINT (it provides a unique, identifiable response).
Practice
Quiz
In which field is a 'transponder' MOST essential?