transit
/ˈtræn.zɪt/ (bre, ipa) · [trˈænzɪt] /ˈtræn.zɪt/ (ame, ipa) · [trˈænzɪt] /ˈtran(t)-sət ˈtran-zət/ (ame, mw)
transit — noun
1. the movement of travellers or cargo between two or more locations, especially du
the movement of travellers or cargo between two or more locations, especially during a journey or within a delivery network that may include buses, trains, or trucks.
The package was damaged while in transit, so we filed a claim with the delivery company.
in transit (fixed phrase for goods being carried)
Several cities have invested in new public transit systems to reduce traffic jams.
public transit (fixed phrase for transport systems)
Cold-chain transit keeps perishable foods at a safe temperature from farm to shop.
Sari takes the light-rail transit to work every morning instead of sitting in traffic.
Insurance for goods in transit covers loss or damage during the journey.
- transport
broader term covering all movement systems; 'transit' emphasises the process of being en route
- shipment
focuses on the goods being sent rather than the journey itself
- passage
more formal; often describes a journey by sea or air
- conveyance
very formal legal term, rarely used in everyday speech
文法句型
in transit (fixed phrase)
public transit (collocation)
transit + of + noun phrase
用法筆記
The fixed phrase 'in transit' describes goods or people currently being moved. 'Public transit' refers specifically to city-operated bus, train, and metro systems available for shared use.
常見錯誤
2. a trademark for a van made by the Ford motor company, with a box-shaped body des
a trademark for a van made by the Ford motor company, with a box-shaped body designed mainly for carrying goods and equipment rather than passengers.
The delivery company replaced its old trucks with a fleet of new Transits.
Transit as countable noun (a fleet of Transits)
Christopher loaded the boxes into the back of his Transit and drove off.
The plumber parked his white Transit outside the customer's house with the ladder on the roof rack.
João bought a used Transit to start his own furniture removal business.
文法句型
the Transit
a Transit
Transit van
用法筆記
Transit™ is a registered trademark of Ford Motor Company. In British English, it often stands in generically for any large panel van, though strictly it refers to the Ford model. Use a capital letter in formal writing.
常見錯誤
transit — verb
- transitpresent simple I / you / we / they
- transits3rd person singular
- transiting-ing form
- transitedpast simple
1. to travel across a region or area while heading onward to a final stop elsewhere
to travel across a region or area while heading onward to a final stop elsewhere, without staying there permanently.
The train will transit the Alps through a long tunnel before arriving in Milan.
transit + noun (direct object — a geographical feature)
Travellers transiting Hong Kong can explore the city without a visa for up to seven days.
transit as intransitive (Travellers transiting Hong Kong)
The cargo ship is currently transiting the Suez Canal on its way to Rotterdam.
Hassan transited three countries during his drive from Germany to Turkey.
Migrating birds transit the Mediterranean twice a year on their journey between continents.
- cross
more general; 'cross the border' can mean any kind of crossing, not necessarily incidental
- pass through
phrasal alternative; more conversational than 'transit'
- traverse
more formal and suggests a more difficult or deliberate crossing
文法句型
transit + place (direct object)
transit through + place
用法筆記
Often implies the crossing is incidental — the main purpose is getting to a final destination beyond the place being transited. The intransitive pattern ('transit through Singapore') is more common in travel and logistics contexts than the transitive ('transit Singapore').
常見錯誤
2. of a planet, moon, or other celestial object, to move across the visible surface
of a planet, moon, or other celestial object, to move across the visible surface or disk of a larger heavenly body, such as the Sun, or across a reference line in the sky.
In 2012, Venus transited the Sun for the last time until the year 2117.
Venus transited the Sun (classic astronomical event)
Using a special solar filter, the astronomy club watched Mercury transit the Sun's disk.
The Kepler space telescope discovered new planets by detecting them as they transited their host stars.
A small moon transited Jupiter's southern hemisphere, casting a visible shadow on the cloud tops.
文法句型
transit + star / sun / planet
用法筆記
Commonly found in astronomy writing with the verb-object order: [planet] transits [star/Sun]. The noun 'transit' also describes the event itself (e.g. 'the transit of Venus'). This verb sense is almost never used in everyday conversation.
常見錯誤
3. in astrology, of a planet in the sky to move into or pass through one of the twe
in astrology, of a planet in the sky to move into or pass through one of the twelve zodiac signs, believed by astrologers to affect events or personality traits linked to that sign.
Saturn is currently transiting Pisces, which astrologers say may bring challenges in creative projects.
transit + zodiac sign (core astrological pattern)
When Jupiter transits through Aries, many people feel a strong urge to start new ventures.
transit through + zodiac sign (intransitive)
Nellie checked her birth chart to see which planets were transiting her sun sign this month.
The astrologer explained that Mars transiting Virgo tends to bring extra attention to health routines.
文法句型
transit + zodiac sign
transit into + zodiac sign
transit through + zodiac sign
用法筆記
Almost entirely restricted to horoscopes, astrology columns, and personal birth-chart readings. The subject is always a planet, and the object is always a zodiac sign or house. Readers unfamiliar with astrology may need background on the zodiac to understand usage.