transition

noun tran·si·tion \ tran(t)-ˈsi-shən , tran-ˈzi- , chiefly British tran(t)-ˈsi-zhən \

|Updated on: 19 Jul 2018

Examples: transition in a Sentence

Definition of transition

1 a : passage from one state, stage, subject, or place to another : change

b : a movement, development, or evolution from one form, stage, or style to another

2 a : a musical modulation

b : a musical passage leading from one section of a piece to another

3 : an abrupt change in energy state or level (as of an atomic nucleus or a molecule) usually accompanied by loss or gain of a single quantum of energy

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transitional

play \tran(t)-ˈsish-nəl, -ˈsizh-, -ˈzish-; -ˈsi-shə-nᵊl, -ˈzi-, -zhə-\ adjective

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transitionally

adverb

See transition defined for English-language learners

See transition defined for kids

Examples of transition in a Sentence

We want to have a smooth transition when the new owners take control of the company.
the sometimes difficult transition from childhood to adulthood
The country made a peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy.

Recent Examples of transition from the Web

That transition will be made a bit easier thanks to several members of the Carpentersville community.

— rafael guerrero, Elgin Courier-News, "Carpentersville man who lost legs in boating accident getting wheelchair-friendly house from team of volunteers," 14 July 2018
Despite positive statements from both sides, the upcoming transition of power in Mexico has the potential to further destabilize U.S.-Mexico relations if either leader takes aim at the other to appeal to his political base at home.

— susannah george, chicagotribune.com, "Mexico officials urge Mike Pompeo to reunite immigrant families quickly," 13 July 2018
Expanding to 32 in 1998 greased the transition to Havelange’s No. 2, Sepp Blatter.

— mark zeigler, sandiegouniontribune.com, "The World Cup works fine with 32 teams, but FIFA is about to ruin it," 13 July 2018
Despite positive statements from both sides, the upcoming transition of power in Mexico also has the potential to destabilize U.S.-Mexico relations if either leader takes aim at the other to appeal to his political base at home.

— Washington Post, "Pompeo travels to Mexico to meet new leftist president-elect," 13 July 2018
Contacts with Russian officials by Trump campaign officials during the course of the 2016 election and the transition, like George Papadopoulos and former national security advisor Michael Flynn 5.

— garrett m. graff, WIRED, "Indicting 12 Russian Hackers Could Be Mueller's Biggest Move Yet," 13 July 2018
Under the terms of the agreement, Russia will deploy military police to maintain order in Daraa and facilitate the transition back to government rule, said a media activist inside who asked for anonymity out of concern for his safety.

— philip issa, Fox News, "Syrian rebels agree to give up Daraa, cradle of 2011 revolt," 13 July 2018
Making matters more difficult for that transition is the schedule: the Chiefs get the Chargers (road), Steelers(road), 49ers (home) and Broncos (road) to start off Mahomes’ career as a starter.

— pete grathoff, kansascity, "There is a healthy dose of skepticism nationally about Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs," 12 July 2018
In an unusual transition arrangement, Wilcox shadowed then-Superintendent Ann Clark for three months before taking office.

— ann doss helms, charlotteobserver, "Quiet agitator at CMS prepares to rattle some cages in his second year," 12 July 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of transition

Latin transition-, transitio, from transire

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1551

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

transition

verb

Definition of transition

transitioned; transitioning; transitions

intransitive verb

: to make a transition

transition into college

See transition defined for English-language learners

Examples of transition in a Sentence

The company has transitioned to new management in the past year.
a student who is transitioning to a new school

Recent Examples of transition from the Web

Nonetheless, the historic process has allowed FARC militants to re-enter civilian life; the guerrilla organization, too, has transitioned into a political party.

— martha pskowski, The New Republic, "The Radical Amnesty Plan of Mexico’s Next President," 2 July 2018
Meanwhile, over at the Wary Meyers HQ in Maine, the water temperature is finally transitioning from adventurously chilly to just right.

— laura regensdorf, Vogue, "This Summer Bar Soap Looks Like a Steve McQueen Pool Party," 29 June 2018
In these moments, a creature introduced to the audience as a practical effect will transition to CGI.

— darryn king, WSJ, "In ‘Jurassic World,’ Old-School Effects Make a Comeback," 13 June 2018
New neighborhoods like the Gulch and Germantown depend on an endless supply of glamorous, leisure-seeking young globalists who transition seamlessly from architects’ renderings to real life.

— justin davidson, Daily Intelligencer, "Downtown Nashville Is Supposed to Be the Model of the Walkable 21st-Century City. I’m Not So Sure.," 8 June 2018
The district loses 31% of its students who are transitioning from elementary to middle school or from middle school to high school.

— lori higgins, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit's far-reaching strategy to fill its schools," 29 May 2018
The judge asked Justin Hunt, former COO of the medical marijuana program who is transitioning to another state job, why that was.

— andrew j. tobias, cleveland.com, "Mike DeWine raised $1 million in 72 hours following his GOP primary win, his campaign says," 14 May 2018
Lynn Stadium's facilities team normally kills out ryegrass and grows in Bermuda grass to transition the turf from winter to summer.

— danielle lerner, The Courier-Journal, "LouCity is winning at Lynn Stadium - so why didn't this happen sooner?," 18 June 2018
That's because of the time needed to transition the program, Beam said.

— leah asmelash, charlotteobserver, "Thousands of CMS students get free meals in school. So what happens in the summer?," 13 June 2018

First Known Use of transition

1946

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

TRANSITION Defined for English Language Learners

transition

noun

Definition of transition for English Language Learners

: a change from one state or condition to another

transition

verb

Definition of transition for English Language Learners

: to make a change from one state, place, or condition to another : to make a transition

TRANSITION Defined for Kids

transition

noun tran·si·tion \ tran-ˈsi-shən , -ˈzi- \

Definition of transition for Students

: an act or the process of passing from one state, stage, place, or subject to another : change

Medical Dictionary

transition

noun tran·si·tion \ tran(t)s-ˈish-ən, tranz-, chiefly British tran(t)s-ˈizh- \

medical Definition of transition

1 : passage from one state or stage to another; especially : an abrupt change in energy state or level (as of an atomic nucleus or a molecule) usually accompanied by loss or gain of a single quantum of energy

2 : a genetic mutation in RNA or DNA that results from the substitution of one purine base for the other or of one pyrimidine base for the other