'translational' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'translatio' (from 'translatus'), where 'trans-' meant 'across' and 'latio' (from the verb 'transferre'/'translare') related to 'carrying' or 'bringing'.

'translational' developed from Latin 'translatio' into Old French/Medieval Latin forms such as 'translater/translation', then into Middle English as 'translation', and finally the modern English adjective was formed by adding the suffix '-al' to produce 'translational'.

Initially it referred to the act of carrying or bringing across (literal sense), then came to mean rendering words from one language into another; in modern usage it has additionally expanded to scientific senses such as protein 'translation' and 'translational' research (applying basic science).