transcendental

adjective

tran·​scen·​den·​tal ˌtran(t)-ˌsen-ˈden-tᵊl 

-sən-

1

a

: transcendent sense 1b

b

: supernatural

c

: abstruse, abstract

d

: of or relating to transcendentalism

2

a

: incapable of being the root of an algebraic equation with rational coefficients

π is a transcendental number

b

: being, involving, or representing a function (such as sin x, log x, e^x) that cannot be expressed by a finite number of algebraic operations

transcendental curves

3

in Kantian philosophy

a

: of or relating to experience as determined by the mind's makeup

b

: transcending experience but not human knowledge

4

: transcendent sense 1a

transcendentally

ˌtran(t)-ˌsen-ˈden-tᵊl-ē 

-sən-

adverb

Synonyms

• metaphysical
• otherworldly
• paranormal
• preternatural
• supernatural
• transcendent
• unearthly

Examples of transcendental in a Sentence

the concept of the soul as a transcendental entity that exists entirely apart from the body

in his speeches he manifests a transcendental ability to inspire people from all points on the political spectrum

Recent Examples on the Web

Staff Pick: From unmarketable to ‘transcendental’ After agreeing to a record-breaking $700 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Shohei Ohtani has suddenly become the world's most famous baseball player. —Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 14 Dec. 2023

An avid cyclist who practices transcendental meditation, Minicucci has a laser focus on details. —Kiel Porter, Fortune, 5 Dec. 2023

Thanks to this emphasis, many of Res Ipsa’s garments enjoy one-of-one status, as well as a more transcendental quality. —Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 10 May 2023

The Masked Singer contestant has also credited Lois for his passion for transcendental meditation. —Kaitlin Stevens, Peoplemag, 3 Oct. 2023

Each of a house’s windows seems to frame a different story, and a pool’s shimmering blue surface suggests depths both literal and transcendental. —Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 30 June 2023

Kip embraces Kira’s notion that metal is a tool for excavating truth, and his truth is the White Room, an urge for violence that is part fatal flaw, part transcendental calling. —Jim Ruland, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2023

Meditation is a broad term that includes many types of practice: There's mindfulness meditation, yoga nidra and transcendental meditation, to name a few. —Delaney Nothaft, USA TODAY, 27 Apr. 2023

In creating its unique methodology, called Hemi-Sync, the Gateway project borrowed from various consciousness-altering methodologies including biofeedback, transcendental meditation, Kundalini yoga, and hypnosis. —Susan Lahey, Popular Mechanics, 12 Apr. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1624, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

transcendental

adjective

tran·​scen·​den·​tal ˌtran(t)s-ˌen-ˈdent-ᵊl 

-ən-

: transcendent sense 2

transcendentally

-ᵊl-ē 

adverb