WordGarden.iotransport
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /trænsˈpɔːt/verb
US
- /ˈtrænspɔrt/
Meanings
Noun
transportation, especially public transit or transport systems
Verb
to carry or move people or goods from one place to another
to carry someone away emotionally or in imagination
Beyond the definition
To transport something means to move it from one place to another. Think of a delivery truck transporting goods across the country, or a spaceship transporting astronauts to Mars! But "transport" isn't just about physical things. It can also mean to carry someone emotionally—a beautiful song might transport you back to a cherished memory. The word comes from Latin roots meaning "to carry across," so imagine something being carried over a distance. You might say, "The new train line will transport thousands of commuters each day," or, "Her story transported me to another world."
"Transport" at its core means to move people or goods from one location to another. This is most commonly understood in the context of vehicles: trains transport passengers, trucks transport cargo, and airplanes transport both. For example, "The company uses a fleet of vans to transport furniture."
However, "transport" has a broader meaning beyond physical movement. It can also describe an experience that powerfully affects your emotions or imagination. A piece of music might transport you back in time, evoking strong feelings and memories. A captivating book could transport you to another world entirely. This figurative use emphasizes the idea of being carried away by something—not physically, but emotionally or mentally.
Historically, "transport" also had a darker meaning: it was used as a punishment where criminals were "transported" to overseas colonies (like Australia) as a form of exile. Thankfully, that usage is largely historical now!
So, whether you're talking about logistics, travel, or the power of art and storytelling, "transport" always involves a movement—either physical, emotional, or imaginative—from one state or place to another.
Examples
- 1
City travel
We usually use public transport to get into the city.
- 2
Food logistics
The company transports fresh fruit from farms to supermarkets by truck.
- 3
Medical emergency
After the accident, two passengers were transported to the hospital.
- 4
Short trips
Bikes are a cheap form of transport for short trips.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Business costs
Higher fuel prices have pushed up transport costs.
- 6
Infrastructure
Better transport links have made the town easier to reach.
- Phrasetransport links
roads, railways, and other connections between places
- 7
Memory
The smell of wood smoke transported her back to winters at her grandparents' house.
- Patterntransport someone back to + time/place
make them feel as if they are in an earlier time or place
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- transport goods
- transport passengers
- transport by truck
Word family
Explore
- logistics
- freight
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- transportnounverb
Forms
- transportedpast tenseverbnoun
- transporting-ing formverbnoun
- transportsverbnoun