transcendent

adjective

tran·​scen·​dent tran(t)-ˈsen-dənt How to pronounce transcendent (audio)
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 libertyL. 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.

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 Her arrival three years ago set into motion an exponential program trajectory, culminating in one singular moment recruiting a transcendent freshman and surrounding her with a bevy of irreplaceable supporting acts. Luca Evans, Orange County Register, 11 Mar. 2024 For every oversized t-shirt Westwood sent down the runway scrawled in Sharpie pen, there were 10 truly transcendent looks banked in her arsenal. Leah Dolan, CNN, 4 Mar. 2024 Other dishes were similarly transcendent: a slab of duck breast was tender and rare, with crisp skin and a dazzling swash of orange sauce. Helen Rosner, The New Yorker, 25 Feb. 2024 But that coda arrived after a transcendent five-season peak that was a throwback as well as a template for how to evaluate Hall of Fame-caliber starting pitchers in an era in which the workhorse ace is basically extinct. Jerry Beach, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024 Patrick Mahomes is transcendent, but playing quarterback requires teammates who make plays. Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2024 The local ingredients also make for a transcendent farm-to-table lunch. Calin Van Paris, Vogue, 17 Feb. 2024 Lucky Luke — Belgium After Hergé, the most transcendent creator in French-language comics was scriptwriter René Goscinny, whose three main series — Asterix, Lucky Luke and Iznogoud — have sold millions of copies. Ernesto Lechner, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Feb. 2024 The transcendent Chiefs quarterback was too smart, too quick, too clinical in a game-tying drive to send the Super Bowl to overtime. Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 12 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'transcendent.' 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

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

First Known Use

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

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

Dictionary Entries Near transcendent

Cite this Entry

“Transcendent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/transcendent. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

transcendent

adjective
tran·​scen·​dent tran(t)s-ˈen-dənt How to pronounce transcendent (audio)
1
: superior to or going beyond the usual : extraordinary
2
: going beyond the limits of ordinary experience

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