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 …

—Laurence 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 of transcendent

• transcendental
• supernatural
• paranormal
• metaphysical
• mystical

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 transcendent new novel, Song of Ancient Lovers, translated by Caro De Robertis, layers chapters illuminating the allure of the story of the Queen of Sheba and King Solomon over the centuries with a contemporary love story set in refugee camps in Yemen. —Literary Hub, 6 Jan. 2026

Each of them was merely an average-to-very-good coach who happened to be in charge when a transcendent player like Jameis Winston, Joe Burrow, Vince Young or Cam Newton blew through town. —Will Leitch, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2026

The earthly experience of personal grief and privation that inspired such transcendent beauty is mind-bending in its own way. —Eric Bulson, The Atlantic, 2 Jan. 2026

Indiana had not won any bowl game since the Copper Bowl in 1991, but history has been no match for Cignetti and his Hoosiers during the coach’s two transcendent seasons. —Greg Beacham, Chicago Tribune, 2 Jan. 2026

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

Rhymes for transcendent

• appendant
• ascendant
• attendant
• defendant
• dependant
• dependent
• descendant
• descendent
• intendant
• resplendent
• codefendant
• independent

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