transit meaning and definition

TRANSIT noun

Definition of transit (noun)

1. a surveying instrument for measuring horizontal and vertical angles, consisting of a small telescope mounted on a tripod
   • synonyms: theodolite
2. a facility consisting of the means and equipment necessary for the movement of passengers or goods
   • synonyms: transportation, transportation system
3. a journey usually by ship
   • "the outward passage took 10 days"
   • synonyms: passage

TRANSIT verb

Definition of transit (verb)

1. make a passage or journey from one place to another
   • "The tourists moved through the town and bought up all the souvenirs;" "Some travelers pass through the desert"
   • synonyms: move through, pass across, pass over, pass through
2. pass across (a sign or house of the zodiac) or pass across (the disk of a celestial body or the meridian of a place)
   • "The comet will transit on September 11"
3. revolve (the telescope of a surveying transit) about its horizontal transverse axis in order to reverse its direction
4. cause or enable to pass through
   • "The canal will transit hundreds of ships every day"