transgender

adjective trans·gen·der \ tran(t)s-ˈjen-dər , tranz- \

variants: or less commonly transgendered play \tran(t)s-ˈjen-dərd, tranz-\

|Updated on: 30 Jun 2018

Definition of transgender

: of, relating to, or being a person whose gender identity differs from the sex the person had or was identified as having at birth; especially : of, relating to, or being a person whose gender identity is opposite the sex the person had or was identified as having at birth

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transgenderism

play \tran(t)s-ˈjen-dər-ˌi-zəm, tranz-\ noun

See transgender defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of transgender from the Web

And Gallup studies suggest that at least some of the lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender population is leaving the state.

— steve wieberg, kansascity, "‘There’s No Place Like Home’ finds signs of quiet progress for Kansas’ LGBT citizens," 20 June 2018
Fahed and Riggs were two of at least 20 volunteers who turned out for a neighborhood clean-up led by the Zebra Coalition — the Central Florida network for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth.

— kate santich, OrlandoSentinel.com, "For many, Pulse 2-year mark means acts of love and kindness," 12 June 2018
Lambda Legal credited Buckel for focusing the organization on the rights of lesbian, gay and transgender youth.

— jeffery c. mays, BostonGlobe.com, "Prominent gay rights lawyer dies after setting himself on fire," 15 Apr. 2018
Presumably, that principle could affect transgender troops who require medical care that could not be provided in a war zone.

— tom vanden brook, USA TODAY, "Trump to decide Friday on new policy for transgender troops, likely limiting their service," 22 Mar. 2018
But not transgender troops, who continued to risk getting tossed out of the military.

— meg jones, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Wisconsin transgender veteran criticizes Trump's attempt to bar transgender people," 26 July 2017
While transgender political hopefuls still face opposition and ad hominem attacks, those who have run before say things have changed rapidly.

— emma talkoff, Time, "Will 2017 Be the Year of the Transgender Candidate?," 6 July 2017
Mutch is hoping an open door, straightforward approach will help him guide Chase Brexton through an unusually tense time for the iconic organization that has served the lesbian, bisexual, gay and transgender population for four decades.

— andrea k. mcdaniels, baltimoresun.com, "New Chase Brexton CEO wants to create more trusting culture," 7 June 2017
Another well known Charlotte family has joined the Belks in supporting the state’s first homeless shelter for lesbian, gay and transgender youths: The Levines.

— mark price, charlotteobserver, "Another influential Charlotte family is backing a shelter for homeless LGBT kids," 30 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'transgender.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of transgender

1974

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

Medical Dictionary

transgender

adjective trans·gen·der \ tran(t)s-ˈjen-dər \

variants: or transgendered play \-dərd\

medical Definition of transgender

: of, relating to, or being a person (as a transsexual or a transvestite) who identifies with or expresses a gender identity that differs from the one which corresponds to the person's sex at birth

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