transcendental

adjective

tran·​scen·​den·​tal ˌtran(t)-ˌsen-ˈden-tᵊl How to pronounce transcendental (audio)
-sən-
Synonyms of transcendentalnext
1
2
a
: incapable of being the root of an algebraic equation with rational coefficients
π is a transcendental number
b
: being, involving, or representing a function (such as sin x, log x, ex) that cannot be expressed by a finite number of algebraic operations
transcendental curves
3
in Kantian philosophy
a
: of or relating to experience as determined by the mind's makeup
b
: transcending experience but not human knowledge
4
transcendentally adverb

Examples of transcendental in a Sentence

the concept of the soul as a transcendental entity that exists entirely apart from the body in his speeches he manifests a transcendental ability to inspire people from all points on the political spectrum
Recent Examples on the Web
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Magician Doug Henning announces plans to build Veda Land, a theme park based on magic, mysticism and transcendental meditation, in Osceola County. Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Jan. 2026 Lynch, a longtime practitioner of transcendental meditation, will also be honored with a group meditation scheduled on Jan. 20, his birthday. Charlie Vargas, Daily News, 7 Jan. 2026 Fairfield’s Maharishi Foundation USA is suing a former student of transcendental meditation, claiming unfair competition and trademark infringement. Clark Kauffman, Iowa Capital Dispatch, 7 Jan. 2026 The study, published in the journal Biomolecules, found that participants who practiced transcendental meditation had lower expression of the genes associated with inflammation and aging. Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 26 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for transcendental

Word History

First Known Use

1624, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of transcendental was in 1624

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Cite this Entry

“Transcendental.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/transcendental. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

transcendental

adjective
tran·​scen·​den·​tal ˌtran(t)s-ˌen-ˈdent-ᵊl How to pronounce transcendental (audio)
-ən-
transcendentally adverb

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