transposition: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Technical
Quick answer
What does “transposition” mean?
The act of moving something from one place, position, or sequence to another.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The act of moving something from one place, position, or sequence to another.
In logic and mathematics, the swapping of two elements; in music, the rewriting of a composition in a different key; in genetics, the movement of a genetic element to a new location.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or spelling. Usage is identical.
Connotations
Identical. Purely technical or formal.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both varieties, confined to technical contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “transposition” in a Sentence
[the transposition of X to Y][transposition occurs][carry out a transposition]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “transposition” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- We need to transpose these two columns to correct the error.
- The composer decided to transpose the piece into a lower key.
American English
- The accountant transposed the numbers by mistake.
- Can you transpose this song into G major?
adverb
British English
- The data was moved transpositionally within the array.
American English
- The elements can be rearranged transpositionally.
adjective
British English
- The transpositional error went unnoticed for weeks.
- They studied the transpositional properties of the matrix.
American English
- A simple transpositional cipher is easy to break.
- The genetic element showed transpositional activity.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might refer to restructuring departments or financial items on a balance sheet.
Academic
Common in mathematics (linear algebra), logic, genetics, music theory, and linguistics.
Everyday
Very rare. Used mainly for explaining errors like transposed digits in a phone number.
Technical
The primary register. Specific meanings in cryptography, genetics (transposons), and matrix algebra.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “transposition”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “transposition”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “transposition”
- Misspelling as 'transposistion' or 'transprosition'.
- Using it as a direct synonym for 'transportation'.
- Incorrect plural: 'transpositions' (correct) vs. 'transposition' for plural.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. 'Transposition' refers to changing order or position. 'Transplant' refers to moving living tissue or an organ to a new location or person.
The related verb is 'transpose'. 'Transposition' is the noun form describing the action or result.
Typing 'teh' instead of 'the' is a transposition of letters. Accidentally swapping two digits in a phone number is another common example.
No, it is a medium to low-frequency word, primarily used in formal, academic, and technical contexts rather than everyday conversation.
The act of moving something from one place, position, or sequence to another.
Transposition is usually formal, technical in register.
Transposition: in British English it is pronounced /ˌtrænspəˈzɪʃ(ə)n/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌtrænspəˈzɪʃ(ə)n/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of TRANSPOSITION as TRANS (across) + POSITION (place) = moving something across to a new place or order.
Conceptual Metaphor
REORDERING IS MOVING.
Practice
Quiz
In which field is 'transposition' NOT a standard technical term?