transverse

1 of 2

adjective

trans·​verse tran(t)s-ˈvərs How to pronounce transverse (audio)
tranz-ˈvərs,
ˈtran(t)s-ˌvərs,
ˈtranz-ˌvərs How to pronounce transverse (audio)
1
: acting, lying, or being across : set crosswise
2
: made at right angles to the long axis of the body
a transverse section
transversely adverb

transverse

2 of 2

noun

: something (such as a piece, section, or part) that is transverse

Examples of transverse in a Sentence

Adjective The surgeon made a transverse incision across her abdomen.
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
In front, the design philosophy is similar, with unequal-length control arms and a transverse plastic leaf spring mounted to another large cast-aluminum subframe. Csaba Csere, Car and Driver, 7 Sep. 2023 View Photos But there was, Kim believed, a gap in the market for a mid-engined sports coupe, built around a transverse powertrain from a modern front-drive sedan. Ray Hutton, Car and Driver, 18 Aug. 2023 While the three-row mid-size Aviator mounts its engines longitudinally, the 2024 Nautilus rides on a version of the transverse C2 platform that also underpins the Corsair and Ford Escape. Caleb Miller, Car and Driver, 18 Apr. 2023 This variation also trains your body in the transverse plane of motion, which helps to stabilize and strengthen joints that are often more mobile and susceptible to injury, such as the hips and spine, according to the National Academy of Sports Medicine. Women's Health, 25 Mar. 2023 Low transverse incisions are now standard in the United States. Anna Nowogrodzki, New York Times, 17 Apr. 2020 Shoulder taps work you transverse abdominals and obliques as well. Stefani Sassos, Ms, Rdn, Cso, Good Housekeeping, 16 Mar. 2020 The transverse-engine GLA has available 4Matic all-wheel drive that primarily drives the front wheels but sends enough power around to improve acceleration in slippery conditions. Jens Meiners, Car and Driver, 15 Apr. 2020 Also, seemingly forgotten by many, the C8 finally retires the Corvette's long-running transverse leaf springs front and rear (since 1984 at both ends and since 1963 at the rear), in favor of conventional coils. Jim Resnick, Ars Technica, 25 Feb. 2020
Noun
Possible safety signals for transverse myelitis — spinal cord inflammation — after viral-vector vaccines were identified in the study. Jason Gale, Fortune Well, 19 Feb. 2024 The 1940 Ford sat on a 112-inch wheelbase with transverse leaf springs in the front and rear. David Krumboltz, The Mercury News, 7 Jan. 2024 In the transverse ranges and Los Angeles County mountains, 6 to 12 inches of rain is possible. Yvonne Wingett Sanchez, Washington Post, 4 Feb. 2024 The stage was laid out transverse style, so that the audience flanked the presentation on two sides. Carolina A. Miranda, Los Angeles Times, 26 Dec. 2023 The car’s remarkably neutral handling (best experienced in Corsa mode) was achieved in part by giving the transmission a transverse layout, aside the engine, and installing the 3.8 kWh battery pack in the middle to lower the center of gravity. Sean Evans, Robb Report, 25 Nov. 2023 The Cimarron's suspension—which consists of MacPherson struts and an anti-roll bar up front, with a pair of trailing arms connected by a transverse member, coil springs, and an anti-sway bar bringing up the rear—benefits from exclusive calibrations aimed at optimizing ride without hurting handling. Rich Ceppos, Car and Driver, 10 Feb. 2023 In 2016, the Murderdolls guitarist explained that shortly before his dismissal from Slipknot, he was diagnosed with acute transverse myelitis, a neurological condition that limited the use of his legs. Sadie Bell, Peoplemag, 6 Nov. 2023 In 2016, Jordison revealed that his exit from Slipknot coincided with his getting sick with a disease called transverse myelitis and claimed that his bandmates confused his medical issues with a substance abuse problem. Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 5 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'transverse.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Latin transversus, from trans- + -versus (as in adversus adverse)

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of transverse was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near transverse

Cite this Entry

“Transverse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/transverse. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

transverse

adjective
trans·​verse
tran(t)s-ˈvərs,
tranz-;
ˈtran(t)s-ˌvərs,
ˈtranz-
: lying or being across : set crosswise
transverse beams supporting the floor
transversely adverb

Medical Definition

transverse

adjective
trans·​verse tran(t)s-ˈvərs How to pronounce transverse (audio) tranz- How to pronounce transverse (audio)
ˈtran(t)s-ˌ,
ˈtranz-ˌ
1
: acting, lying, or being across : set crosswise
2
: made at right angles to the long axis of the body
a transverse section
transversely adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on transverse

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!