transcendental

adjective

tran·​scen·​den·​tal ˌtran(t)-ˌsen-ˈden-tᵊl 

-sən-

1

a

: transcendent sense 1b

b

: supernatural

c

: abstruse, abstract

d

: of or relating to transcendentalism

2

a

: incapable of being the root of an algebraic equation with rational coefficients

π is a transcendental number

b

: being, involving, or representing a function (such as sin x, log x, e^x) that cannot be expressed by a finite number of algebraic operations

transcendental curves

3

in Kantian philosophy

a

: of or relating to experience as determined by the mind's makeup

b

: transcending experience but not human knowledge

4

: transcendent sense 1a

transcendentally

ˌtran(t)-ˌsen-ˈden-tᵊl-ē 

-sən-

adverb

Synonyms

• metaphysical
• otherworldly
• paranormal
• preternatural
• supernatural
• transcendent
• unearthly

Examples of transcendental in a Sentence

the concept of the soul as a transcendental entity that exists entirely apart from the body

in his speeches he manifests a transcendental ability to inspire people from all points on the political spectrum

Recent Examples on the Web

His first two tasks of the day: 20 minutes of transcendental meditation ... followed by four shots of espresso. —Axios, 17 Jan. 2025

The director was also a vocal supporter of transcendental meditation. —Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2025

In addition to his hobbies of painting and photography, Lynch was also a big figure in the world of transcendental meditation, introducing other celebrities to the practice and establishing the David Lynch Foundation in 2005 to promote it. —Ellise Shafer, Variety, 16 Jan. 2025

Then, filled with admiration for this person who has turned a simple space into a something transcendental, the patron hires Tóth to oversee construction on a community center in the modest burg of Doylestown, Pennsylvania. —David Fear, Rolling Stone, 22 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1624, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

transcendental

adjective

tran·​scen·​den·​tal ˌtran(t)s-ˌen-ˈdent-ᵊl 

-ən-

: transcendent sense 2

transcendentally

-ᵊl-ē 

adverb