traverse

1 of 3

verb

tra·​verse trə-ˈvərs How to pronounce traverse (audio)
 also  tra-ˈvərs,
or
ˈtra-(ˌ)vərs How to pronounce traverse (audio)
traversed; traversing

transitive verb

1
a
: to go or travel across or over
b
: to move or pass along or through
light rays traversing a crystal
2
: to make a study of : examine
3
: to lie or extend across : cross
the bridge traverses a brook
4
a
: to move to and fro over or along
b
: to ascend, descend, or cross (a slope or gap) at an angle
c
: to move (a gun) to right or left on a pivot
5
a
: to go against or act in opposition to : oppose, thwart
b
: to deny (something, such as an allegation of fact or an indictment) formally at law
6
: to make or carry out a survey of by using traverses

intransitive verb

1
: to move back and forth or from side to side
2
: to move or turn laterally : swivel
3
a
: to climb at an angle or in a zigzag course
b
: to ski across rather than straight down a hill
4
: to make a survey by using traverses
traversable
trə-ˈvər-sə-bəl How to pronounce traverse (audio)
 also  tra-ˈvər-
 or  ˈtra-(ˌ)vər-
adjective
traverser noun

traverse

2 of 3

noun

tra·​verse ˈtra-vərs How to pronounce traverse (audio)
 also  -ˌvərs,
especially for senses 6 and 8 also
trə-ˈvərs How to pronounce traverse (audio)
 or  tra-ˈvərs
1
: something that crosses or lies across
2
3
: a formal denial of a matter of fact alleged by the opposing party in a legal pleading
4
a
: a compartment or recess formed by a partition, curtain, or screen
b
: a gallery or loft providing access from one side to another in a large building
5
: a route or way across or over: such as
a
: a zigzag course of a sailing ship with contrary winds
b
: a curving or zigzag way up a steep grade
c
: the course followed in traversing
6
: the act or an instance of traversing : crossing
7
: a protective projecting wall or bank of earth in a trench
8
a
: a lateral movement (as of the saddle of a lathe carriage)
also : a device for imparting such movement
b
: the lateral movement of a gun about a pivot or on a carriage to change direction of fire
9
: a line surveyed across a plot of ground

traverse

3 of 3

adjective

tra·​verse ˈtra-(ˌ)vərs How to pronounce traverse (audio) trə-ˈvərs How to pronounce traverse (audio)
tra-ˈvərs
: lying across : transverse

Examples of traverse in a Sentence

Verb The candidates traversed the state throughout the campaign. The river traverses the county.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Verb
Each new outfit players collect will give Nikki new abilities that help her traverse and explore the magical Miraland. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 1 Dec. 2024 The vehicles have traversed 27 million miles of city terrain over the same period. Katie Langford, The Denver Post, 26 Nov. 2024
Noun
Where a tram network traverses roadways, utilities must be removed from underneath the path. Nicole Kobie, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024 Plotting a winter ski traverse of the Karakoram Himalaya? Scott Gilbertson, WIRED, 22 Nov. 2024
Adjective
The roots of via ferratas come from World War I, when climbing routes were strategically created by the Italian army as a way to evade attacks and traverse jagged peaks in the Dolomite Mountains. Kathleen Rellihan, Outside Online, 3 Oct. 2024 As the two traverse Poland, emotions and laughter score their reconnection. Emily Maskell, Vulture, 3 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for traverse 

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French traverser, from Late Latin transversare, from Latin transversus

Noun

Middle English travers, from Anglo-French travers (as in a travers, de travers across), from Latin transversum (as in in transversum set crosswise), neuter of transversus lying across; senses 5–9 in part from traverse entry 1 — more at transverse entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 5a

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of traverse was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near traverse

Cite this Entry

“Traverse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/traverse. Accessed 9 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

traverse

1 of 3 noun
trav·​erse
ˈtra-vərs
1
: something that crosses or lies across
2
: a curved or zigzag path along the face of a steep slope
3
: the act or an instance of traversing
stopped to rest in their traverse of the mountain

traverse

2 of 3 verb
tra·​verse trə-ˈvərs How to pronounce traverse (audio)
traversed; traversing
1
: to go against : oppose
2
a
: to pass through, across, or over
traversed the historic fields
b
: to lie or extend across
a bridge traverses the river
3
: to make a study of : examine
4
: to move back and forth or from side to side
pedestrians traversing the busy intersection
5
: to climb or ski at an angle or in a zigzag course

traverse

3 of 3 adjective
trav·​erse
ˈtra-(ˌ)vərs,
trə-ˈvərs
: lying across : transverse

Legal Definition

traverse

1 of 2 noun
: a denial of a matter of fact alleged in the opposing party's pleadings
also : a pleading in which such a denial is made

traverse

2 of 2 transitive verb
: to deny (as an allegation of fact or an indictment) in a legal proceeding
Etymology

Transitive verb

Anglo-French traverser, literally, to lay across, bar, impede, from Old French, from Late Latin transversare to cross, from Latin transversus lying across

More from Merriam-Webster on traverse

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