traverse

verb

tra·​verse trə-ˈvərs 

also tra-ˈvərs

or

ˈtra-(ˌ)vərs 

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 

also tra-ˈvər-

or ˈtra-(ˌ)vər-

adjective

traverser noun

Synonyms of traverse

• cross
• navigate
• follow
• walk
• travel

Examples of traverse in a Sentence

The candidates traversed the state throughout the campaign.

The river traverses the county.

Recent Examples on the Web

Duncan believes the groups were likely explorers like him, traversing the large, 19th century sewer mains that run underneath parts of the city. —ABC News, 4 June 2026

Kitten-heeled or stiletto-ed, red carpet step and repeating or traversing the city streets, Holmes has found a new, hard-working staple in the form of the thong sandal. —Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 4 June 2026

The deer were captured on camera last month traversing the crossing over a deadly stretch of State Route 97, where more than 50 deer and 16 elk were struck and killed by vehicles between 2015 and 2020, according to Caltrans. —Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2026

Maps show the 900 block is five lanes wide and traverses a heavily commercial strip in north Washington, including multiple motels, stores and restaurants. —Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 4 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing traverse

• traverse jury
• traverse rod

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 

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

tra·​verse ˈtra-ˌvərs, trə-ˈvərs 

: 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

tra·​verse trə-ˈvərs, ˈtra-ˌvərs 

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

Etymology

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