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

And outside of the truly transcendent — i.e. Christian McCaffrey — to pay a back big money is strictly bad business. —Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 12 Aug. 2024

Granada, Spain Almost all of the fans of this city commented on the Alhambra, the sprawling palace that is one of the world’s most transcendent examples of Islamic architecture. —Peter Terzian, Travel + Leisure, 9 July 2024

Stafford’s contract should be extended in that L.A. is lucky to finally have a transcendent quarterback who is superb in all aspects, including as a generous teammate and as a gifted player. —Los Angeles Times, 27 July 2024

Anchored by the romance between Mariko (Anna Sawai), loyal interpreter for Lord Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada), and captive British sailor John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis), Shōgun is an epic, moving testament to the transcendent power of honor and sacrifice. —EW.com, 9 July 2024

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