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

Alana Haim and Cooper Hoffman are transcendent in this story of a teenager who falls for a 20-something woman and the odd adventures that somehow keep falling into their lives. —Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 11 Apr. 2026

This collection of poems is a transcendent appraisal of the blood that was extracted from Black bodies. —Diana Arterian, Literary Hub, 7 Apr. 2026

Until April 4, 2026, the lasting memory between these transcendent but antithetical bigs was that of Jokic’s signature shot thwarted. —Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 5 Apr. 2026

For the faithful, acceptance that there is nothing transcendent about this world is simply impossible, said Caner Dagli, an Islamic scholar and religious studies professor at the College of the Holy Cross in Massachusetts. —Deepa Bharath, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 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