teleport

IPA/ˈtelɪpɔːt/
KK[tˈɛləpˈɔrt]IPA/ˈtelɪpɔːrt/

teleport — verb

  • teleportpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • teleportshe / she / it
  • teleportedpast simple
  • teleporting-ing form

1. to move in a single moment between two separate places without crossing the phys

1.verbtransitive / intransitiveB1
Definition

to move in a single moment between two separate places without crossing the physical space between them, as if by magic or with futuristic equipment

Example

The captain can teleport his crew from the spaceship to a planet's surface in seconds.

teleport his crew from the spaceship to a planet's surface

Arjun pressed a button and teleported across the battlefield before the enemy could fire.

teleported across [location]

Common collocations
  • teleport to
  • teleport from
  • teleport across
  • teleport into
  • teleport out of
  • teleport away
Synonyms
  • beam

    less common; used mainly in Star Trek-style fiction

  • transport

    more general; does not imply instant movement

Grammar Patterns

teleport + object + to + place

teleport (no object) + to + place

Usage Note

Frequently used in the context of video games, science-fiction books, films, and comic books. The transitive form takes a direct object (the person or thing being moved); the intransitive form does not.

Common Mistakes

I teleported the room.
I teleported to the roof.
teleport always needs a destination, stated or implied.
She teleported him.' (meaning unclear)
She teleported him to the spaceship.
when the verb is transitive, include the destination.

Word family

  • teleportation
    nounB2
  • teleporter
    nounB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

Teleport is the most common term for instant movement without covering physical distance, and it is used in science fiction, gaming, and fantasy. Beam is a subtype popularised by Star Trek, where characters are taken apart and rebuilt elsewhere; it is less widely used outside that franchise. Transport is a broader word that covers any kind of movement from A to B, whether instant or not. While you teleport a person, you can transport goods by truck, train, or even spaceship. In everyday English, teleport still sounds like fiction, whereas transport is neutral and factual.

teleport ↗beam ↗transport ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • teleport to safety
  • teleport away from danger

Prepositions

Etymology

GreekLatinEnglish

Teleport was created in the early 20th century by combining the Greek prefix 'tele-' meaning 'far' or 'at a distance' (as in telephone, television) with the Latin root 'portare' meaning 'to carry'. The word first appeared in science fiction writing and gained popularity through books, comics, films, and video games.

First known use

1931

1931, in the meaning defined above