transcendent

adjective

tran·​scen·​dent tran(t)-ˈsen-dənt How to pronounce transcendent (audio)
1
a
: exceeding usual limits : surpassing
b
: extending or lying beyond the limits of ordinary experience
c
in Kantian philosophy : being beyond the limits of all possible experience and knowledge
2
: being beyond comprehension
3
: transcending the universe or material existence compare immanent sense 2
4
: universally applicable or significant
the antislavery movement … recognized the transcendent importance of libertyL. H. Tribe
transcendently adverb

Did you know?

The Latin verb scandere means "to climb", so transcend has the basic meaning of climbing so high that you cross some boundary. A transcendent experience is one that takes you out of yourself and convinces you of a larger life or existence; in this sense, it means something close to "spiritual". The American writers and thinkers known as the Transcendentalists, including Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau, believed in the unity of all creation, the basic goodness of humankind, and the superiority of spiritual vision over mere logic. When we speak of the transcendent importance of an issue such as climate change, we may mean that everything else on earth actually depends on it.

Examples of transcendent in a Sentence

a firm belief in angels, demons, and other transcendent beings the star player's transcendent performance helped the team to a surprise victory
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.
And Anderson, who won his first and only Emmy for his role as Costco-loving Christine, is absolutely transcendent. Jennifer M. Wood, WIRED, 5 Nov. 2024 An opera singer dropping into resonance with her fellow singers, the audience, the moment, and delivering a transcendent performance. Ginny Whitelaw, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024 Establishing themes for every character was cinematically important to the director, and Williams did so with a symphonic force that became culturally transcendent. Bill Desowitz, IndieWire, 31 Oct. 2024 But to me there was nothing really transcendent or transformative in that. Chris Vognar, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for transcendent 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin transcendent-, transcendens, present participle of transcendere

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of transcendent was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near transcendent

Cite this Entry

“Transcendent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/transcendent. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

transcendent

adjective
tran·​scen·​dent tran(t)s-ˈen-dənt How to pronounce transcendent (audio)
1
: superior to or going beyond the usual : extraordinary
2
: going beyond the limits of ordinary experience

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