transcontinental
adjective
trans·con·ti·nen·tal
ˌtran(t)s-ˌkän-tə-ˈnen-tᵊl 
ˌtranz-
: extending or going across a continent
a transcontinental railroad
Examples of transcontinental in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Norfolk Southern's quarterly profit slipped 12% amid the uncertain economy as well as unusual costs related to its efforts to merge with Union Pacific in an $85 billion deal that would create a transcontinental railroad.
—
CBS News, 29 Jan. 2026
According to Union Pacific officials, a transcontinental tour would mark the first time the locomotive returns to the East Coast since it was built, offering a historic celebration tied to the nation’s 250th anniversary.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 26 Jan. 2026
First Class First class is the highest level of service on non-transcontinental flights across the United States, and passengers can expect priority privileges at the airport.
—Elizabeth Rhodes, Travel + Leisure, 19 Jan. 2026
The first transcontinental flight of an airship, the Navy’s enormous USS Shenandoah, terminated, rather precariously, at North Island’s Rockwell Field the following year.
—Eric Duvall, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for transcontinental
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
CBS News, 29 Jan. 2026
According to Union Pacific officials, a transcontinental tour would mark the first time the locomotive returns to the East Coast since it was built, offering a historic celebration tied to the nation’s 250th anniversary.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 26 Jan. 2026
First Class First class is the highest level of service on non-transcontinental flights across the United States, and passengers can expect priority privileges at the airport.
—Elizabeth Rhodes, Travel + Leisure, 19 Jan. 2026
The first transcontinental flight of an airship, the Navy’s enormous USS Shenandoah, terminated, rather precariously, at North Island’s Rockwell Field the following year.
—Eric Duvall, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for transcontinental
Cite this Entry
“Transcontinental.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/transcontinental. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
transcontinental
adjective
trans·con·ti·nen·tal
ˌtran(t)s-ˌkänt-ᵊn-ˈent-ᵊl
: extending or going across a continent
a transcontinental flight
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
