transom

[ tran-suhm ]

noun

1. a crosspiece separating a door or the like from a window or fanlight above it.
2. Also called transom 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.

transom

/ ˈtrænsəm /

noun

1. Also calledtraverse 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

Derived Forms

• ˈtransomed, adjective

Other Words From

• transomed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of transom¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of transom¹

C14: earlier traversayn , from Old French traversin , from traverse

Example Sentences

She continued: “When you only see it on the other side of the political transom ... I have to ask: Are you interested in fighting antisemitism, or was your main objective to beat up on your enemies?”

From Los Angeles Times

To summarize the complaints that fly in over my transom, readers aren’t clear on whether you can take an online test at home, or, if you go to a DMV office for your test, whether you can take it on paper rather than on a computer.

From Los Angeles Times

The donor note came over the transom like any other: A contributor was hoping that the minimum allowable gift could be lowered to $18 from $20.

From New York Times

There are transom windows above the doors, and you can hear other guests moving down the hallway as the floors creak and groan.

From Seattle Times

Even today I find myself returning from another encounter with the model of a giant squid or the narwhal diorama feeling something I now feel navigating Gilder’s grotto-galleries, squinting into the sun that pours through its transom and rose windows.

From New York Times