transition

noun

tran·si·tion | \ tran(t)-ˈsi-shən

, tran-ˈzi-, chiefly British tran(t)-ˈsi-zhən\

Definition of transition

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : 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

2a : 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

transition

verb

transitioned; transitioning; transitions

Definition of transition (Entry 2 of 2)

intransitive verb

: to make a transition transition into college

Other Words from transition More Example Sentences Learn More about transition

Keep scrolling for more

Other Words from transition

Noun

transitional \ tran(t)-ˈsish-nəl

, -ˈsizh- , -ˈzish- ; -ˈsi-shə-nᵊl , -ˈzi- , -zhə- \ adjective

transitionally adverb

Examples of transition in a Sentence

Noun

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.

Verb

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

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Some businesses have been preparing for the possibility of a no-transition Brexit ever since the 2016 vote. — Paul Hannon, WSJ, "U.K. Posts Slowest Growth in Six Years Amid Brexit Worries," 11 Feb. 2019 Choose extras that seamlessly transition from look to look, and use them to elevate your casual pieces, and make your more formal moments feel effortless. — Carrie Goldberg, Harper's BAZAAR, "The Ultimate Honeymoon Packing List," 25 Jan. 2019 Joan transitions into talking about job leads, apartment searching, and teething. — Tracy Saelinger, Woman's Day, "This Nurse Helps New Moms When They're Most Vulnerable," 8 Jan. 2019 Vanessa talked to Haute Living magazine about this major transition. — Kara Nesvig, Teen Vogue, "Vanessa Hudgens on the Life Lessons She Learned From Her Father's Death in 2016," 8 Jan. 2019 Other than a fresh locale, the big changes for FH4 are in the number of simultaneous players—now up to 72 in a session—and seasonal transitions that join dynamic day-to-night-to day lighting and dynamic weather to keep the place looking fresh. — Kyle Orland, Ars Technica, "Ars Technica’s best games of 2018," 24 Dec. 2018 The building’s exterior architecture–which feels equal parts au courant and a form of the future–transitions into a luminescent and geometric interior, inspired by Light and Space artists of the 1960s. — Lucia Tonelli, ELLE Decor, "Bottega Veneta Just Opened Their Futuristic Six-Story Tokyo Flagship," 8 Dec. 2018 The larger Ferris bag, which doubles as a backpack and a tote, seamlessly transitions into a shoulder bag by pulling on a single strap. — Bridget Hallinan, Condé Nast Traveler, "This Is Ground Just Launched Two Convertible Bags," 13 Nov. 2018 Last year was a transition season behind promising starting guards Jamal Murray and Gary Harris, as Denver parted ways with 36-year-old Jameer Nelson and then gave up on Emmanuel Mudiay by trading the 2015 lottery pick to New York. — Ben Golliver, SI.com, "Grades: Isaiah Thomas Can Rejuvenate Career in Nuggets' Low-Risk Gamble," 13 July 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Both of them have been wonderful moms, and have had to transition to living their entire adult lives in the spotlight. — Katherine J. Igoe, Marie Claire, "Princess Diana Reportedly Always Wanted a Daughter," 26 Jan. 2019 Want to transition your color scheme with the seasons? — Lauren Hubbard, ELLE Decor, "The Best Bed Linens for Every Design Style," 18 Sep. 2018 Because this fabric is considered the workhorse of clothing, denim jackets and jeans should, theoretically be able to transition from an everyday wardrobe to an active one. — Amy Hou, Glamour, "Proof Collective's Water-Repellent, Odor-Resistant Denim Jacket Might Be the Ultimate Fall Staple," 23 Aug. 2018 The terms of the agreement to transition EveryBlock users to Nextdoor were not disclosed, but data will not be automatically transferred, and users must set up a new account, the companies said. — Robert Channick, chicagotribune.com, "Comcast to end hyperlocal site EveryBlock, agrees to send users to rival Nextdoor," 12 July 2018 There are intermittent pleasures, including Ms. Campbell, who seems ready to transition to a new career phase playing hard-hitting maternal types with Mona Lisa smiles. — New York Times, "Review: In ‘Skyscraper,’ Dwayne Johnson Scales a Tower of Clichés," 11 July 2018 Similarly, my husband in the legal system saw people with court fines and fees that are less than $500, but are very significant barriers to people trying to transition out of the justice system. — Samantha Melamed, Philly.com, "Why this couple's wedding registry was devoted to paying off Philly kids' court costs," 10 July 2018 The signings of goaltender Jonathan Bernier, defenseman Mike Green and forward Thomas Vanek fill needs at each position while simultaneously fitting into organizational plans to transition toward youth. — Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit Red Wings: Veterans important, but 'kids get an opportunity'," 2 July 2018 The agency also plans to transition to an all-electronic toll system, though the process could take years. — Washington Post, "Maryland races to catch up with Virginia in toll road projects," 30 June 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.

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about transition

Dictionary Entries near transition

transitional epithelium

Statistics for transition

Last Updated

15 Feb 2019

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for transition

The first known use of transition was in 1551

See more words from the same year

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for transition

transition

noun

English Language Learners Definition of transition

(Entry 1 of 2)

: a change from one state or condition to another

transition

verb

English Language Learners Definition of transition (Entry 2 of 2)

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

See the full definition for transition in the English Language Learners Dictionary

transition

noun

tran·si·tion | \ tran-ˈsi-shən

, -ˈzi-\

Kids Definition of transition

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

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