B2 adjective Neutral

transit

/ˈtrænzɪt/

Describes something relating to the movement of people, goods, or vehicles from one place to another, especially via public systems. It often characterizes facilities, periods, or documents used while someone or something is between their origin and destination.

Examples

3 of 5
1

Make sure you have enough balance on your transit card before you enter the subway station.

Make sure you have enough balance on your transit card before you enter the subway station.

2

The treaty establishes a dedicated transit corridor for humanitarian aid to reach the landlocked region.

The treaty establishes a dedicated transit corridor for humanitarian aid to reach the landlocked region.

3

I'm just a transit passenger, so I'll be hanging out in the lounge for the next four hours.

I'm just a transit passenger, so I'll be hanging out in the lounge for the next four hours.

Word Family

Noun
transit
Verb
transit
Adjective
transit
Related
transition
💡

Memory Tip

Think of the prefix 'Trans-' which means 'across' and 'it' as in 'move it' — Transit is the act of moving across.

Quick Quiz

The goods were damaged while they were in a ______ zone at the port.

Correct!

The correct answer is: transit

Examples

1

Make sure you have enough balance on your transit card before you enter the subway station.

everyday

Make sure you have enough balance on your transit card before you enter the subway station.

2

The treaty establishes a dedicated transit corridor for humanitarian aid to reach the landlocked region.

formal

The treaty establishes a dedicated transit corridor for humanitarian aid to reach the landlocked region.

3

I'm just a transit passenger, so I'll be hanging out in the lounge for the next four hours.

informal

I'm just a transit passenger, so I'll be hanging out in the lounge for the next four hours.

4

Astronomers monitored the transit path of the planet as it moved across the face of the distant star.

academic

Astronomers monitored the transit path of the planet as it moved across the face of the distant star.

5

The logistics manager reported that the components are currently in a transit state and should arrive by Friday.

business

The logistics manager reported that the components are currently in a transit state and should arrive by Friday.

Word Family

Noun
transit
Verb
transit
Adjective
transit
Related
transition

Common Collocations

transit visa transit visa
public transit public transit
transit lounge transit lounge
transit system transit system
transit time transit time

Common Phrases

in transit

in transit (during the journey)

mass transit

mass transit (public transportation for many people)

rapid transit

rapid transit (high-speed urban passenger transportation)

Often Confused With

transit vs transition

Transit refers to the physical movement from place A to B, while transition refers to a change from one state or condition to another.

📝

Usage Notes

When used as an adjective, it is almost always an attributive noun (a noun acting like an adjective). It describes objects or zones specifically designed for the duration of a journey.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes use 'transitional' when they mean 'transit.' For example, they might say 'transitional visa' instead of the correct 'transit visa.'

💡

Memory Tip

Think of the prefix 'Trans-' which means 'across' and 'it' as in 'move it' — Transit is the act of moving across.

📖

Word Origin

From the Latin 'transitus,' meaning 'a going over, passing, or passage.'

Grammar Patterns

Used as a noun adjunct before other nouns Does not have comparative or superlative forms Non-gradable
🌍

Cultural Context

In North America, 'transit' is the standard term for government-funded public transportation systems like buses and subways.

Quick Quiz

The goods were damaged while they were in a ______ zone at the port.

Correct!

The correct answer is: transit

Related Words

to

A1

Used to indicate the place, person, or thing that someone or something moves toward. It can also mark the recipient of an action or the limit of a range.

and

A1

A primary conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses that are grammatically equal. It indicates addition, a sequence of events, or a relationship between two things.

a

A1

A word used before a singular noun that is not specific or is being mentioned for the first time. It is used only before words that begin with a consonant sound to indicate one of something.

that

A1

This word is a demonstrative pronoun used to indicate a specific person, object, or idea that is further away in space or time from the speaker. It is also used to refer back to something that has already been mentioned or to introduce a clause that identifies something.

I

A1

The pronoun 'I' is used by a speaker or writer to refer to themselves as the subject of a verb. It is the first-person singular subject pronoun in English and is always capitalized regardless of its position in a sentence.

for

A1

Used to show who is intended to have or use something, or to explain the purpose or reason for an action. It is also frequently used to indicate a specific duration of time.

not

A1

A function word used to express negation or denial. It is primarily used to make a sentence or phrase negative, often following an auxiliary verb or the verb 'to be'.

with

A1

A preposition used to indicate that people or things are together, in the same place, or performing an action together. It can also describe the instrument used to perform an action or a characteristic that someone or something has.

he

A1

A pronoun used to refer to a male person or animal that has already been mentioned or is easily identified. It functions as the subject of a sentence.

you

A1

Used to refer to the person or people that the speaker is addressing. It is the second-person pronoun used for both singular and plural subjects and objects.

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