transcendent

adjective

tran·​scen·​dent tran(t)-ˈsen-dənt 

1

a

: exceeding usual limits : surpassing

b

: extending or lying beyond the limits of ordinary experience

c

in Kantian philosophy : being beyond the limits of all possible experience and knowledge

2

: being beyond comprehension

3

: transcending the universe or material existence compare immanent sense 2

4

: universally applicable or significant

the antislavery movement … recognized the transcendent importance of liberty

—L. H. Tribe

transcendently adverb

Did you know?

The Latin verb scandere means "to climb", so transcend has the basic meaning of climbing so high that you cross some boundary. A transcendent experience is one that takes you out of yourself and convinces you of a larger life or existence; in this sense, it means something close to "spiritual". The American writers and thinkers known as the Transcendentalists, including Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau, believed in the unity of all creation, the basic goodness of humankind, and the superiority of spiritual vision over mere logic. When we speak of the transcendent importance of an issue such as climate change, we may mean that everything else on earth actually depends on it.

Synonyms

• metaphysical
• otherworldly
• paranormal
• preternatural
• supernatural
• transcendental
• unearthly

Examples of transcendent in a Sentence

a firm belief in angels, demons, and other transcendent beings

the star player's transcendent performance helped the team to a surprise victory

Recent Examples on the Web

But that transcendent world and this low one, the one in which this ghost continues to dwell, do not overlap. —Justin E. H. Smith, Harper's Magazine, 14 Aug. 2023

Kareem leaves The Bucks’ fortunes changed with the flip of a coin before the 1969 NBA Draft, when Milwaukee won a toss that gave it the first pick and a chance to draft transcendent basketball talent Lew Alcindor out of UCLA. —Jr Radcliffe, Journal Sentinel, 27 Apr. 2023

When done right, both could lead to catharsis; losing yourself on the dance floor can be just as transcendent an experience as an acid trip. —Dash Lewis, Spin, 9 Aug. 2023

Best-Ever Mac ’n’ Cheese Properly made, plain old macaroni and cheese can be transcendent. —Ben Mims, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2023

The ailing shoe company sought a body brimming with transcendent talent, a superhuman athlete. —A. Joseph Dial, Fortune, 28 Apr. 2023

Yes, the old school created a transcendent Black art form and sent it to the top of the world. —Chris Richards, Washington Post, 4 Aug. 2023

Our imagination of what an inhabited universe might look like is at turns transcendent and scary, but so too is intimacy with other people at all. —Phillip MacIak, The New Republic, 11 July 2023

The result was a 12-song record that is primarily concerned with universal, transcendent truths. —Sofia Andrade, Washington Post, 25 July 2023

See More

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin transcendent-, transcendens, present participle of transcendere

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

transcendent

adjective

tran·​scen·​dent tran(t)s-ˈen-dənt 

1

: superior to or going beyond the usual : extraordinary

2

: going beyond the limits of ordinary experience