transhumance

noun

trans·​hu·​mance tran(t)s-ˈhyü-mən(t)s 

tranz-,

-ˈyü-

: seasonal movement of livestock (such as sheep) between mountain and lowland pastures either under the care of herders or in company with the owners

transhumant

tran(t)s-ˈhyü-mənt 

tranz-

-ˈyü-

adjective or noun

Examples of transhumance in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Capes were an homage to the ones worn by his shepherd ancestors, who practiced transhumance in the Caucasus for centuries, reworked by Gassanoff in a sheer chiffon-like fabric or in a thick wool version, both with very structured silhouettes. —Alberto Calabrese, Vogue, 5 Mar. 2025

This lyrical but unsentimental book is a eulogy for transhumance—the seasonal movement of livestock and the people who watch over them. —The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024

One path follows an ancient transhumance trail — created for the biannual transfer of sheep and other herd animals between high and low ground. —Elizabeth Heath, Travel + Leisure, 25 Jan. 2024

The government had recently decreed an end to their ancestral transhumance, offering permanent settlements and farmland in its stead. —Washington Post, 4 Nov. 2021

One path follows an ancient trail of the transhumance — the biannual transfer of sheep and other herd animals between high and low ground. —Elizabeth Heath, Travel + Leisure, 3 July 2021

The main activities include transhumance, grazing and hiking tourism. —Alex Treadway, National Geographic, 14 June 2017

Word History

Etymology

French, from transhumer to practice transhumance, from Spanish trashumar, from tras- trans- (from Latin trans-) + Latin humus earth — more at humble

First Known Use

circa 1901, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for transhumance

• circumstance
• exceedance
• happenstance
• refinance
• advance
• askance
• enhance
• expanse
• finance
• freelance
• mischance
• perchance