transom

American  

[tran-suhm] / ˈtræn səm /

noun

1. a crosspiece separating a door or the like from a window or fanlight above it.

2. Also called transom window.  Also called transom light,.  a window above such a crosspiece.

3. a crossbar of wood or stone, dividing a window horizontally.

4. a window so divided.

5. Nautical.

   1. a flat termination to a stern, above the water line.

   2. framework running athwartships in way of the sternpost of a steel or iron vessel, used as a support for the frames of the counter.

6. Artillery. a metal piece connecting the sidepieces of the tail or the cheeks of a gun carriage.

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transom British  

/ ˈtrænsəm /

noun

1. Also called: traverse.  a horizontal member across a window Compare mullion

2. a horizontal member that separates a door from a window over it

3. the usual US name for fanlight

4. nautical

   1. a surface forming the stern of a vessel, either vertical or canted either forwards ( reverse transom ) or aft at the upper side

   2. any of several transverse beams used for strengthening the stern of a vessel

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Other Word Forms

• transomed adjective

Etymology

Origin of transom

1325–75; late Middle English traunsum, traunsom, Middle English transyn, probably alteration (by association with trans- ) of traversayn < Old French traversin crosspiece, derivative of travers breadth; traverse

Example Sentences

Frank Parente of Falls Church, Va., was once at a staff meeting when his boss asked him to respond to a letter that came in “over the transom.”

From Washington Post

The house retains many of its original features, such as parquet floors with border inlays, operable glass door transoms and door hardware.

From Washington Post

At her home in Northwest Washington, Emily W. Murphy was mostly amused as the stern admonitions began tumbling over the transom.

From Washington Post

The interior features hardwood flooring, molded baseboards, picture molding and five paneled doors with transoms above.

From Washington Times

Cook preserved some of Bodor’s quirky design features, such as transom pegboard lights but made them more up-to-date by replacing the fluorescent lights with dimmable LED bulbs.

From Washington Post