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transnational

American  
[trans-nash-uh-nl, tranz-, -nash-nl] / trænsˈnæʃ ə nl, trænz-, -ˈnæʃ nl /

adjective

  1. going beyond national boundaries or interests.

    a transnational economy.

  2. comprising persons, sponsors, etc., of different nationalities.

    a transnational company.


noun

transnationals plural
  1. a company, organization, etc., representing two or more nationalities.

transnational British  
/ trænzˈnæʃənəl /

adjective

  1. extending beyond the boundaries, interests, etc, of a single nation

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Inflected Forms

Nouns

Etymology

Origin of transnational

First recorded in 1920–25; trans- + national

Explanation

A transnational company operates in more than one country. A transnational chain of coffee shops, for example, might have cafes in the United States, England, Spain, and China. Use the adjective transnational to describe companies, policies, languages, or anything else that exists in several nations at the same time. A transnational human rights law could affect every developed country in the world, for instance. Another way to say transnational is international or multinational. The definition of the Latin prefix trans, however, gives a clear clue to the word's meaning: "across, beyond, or to go beyond."

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Vocabulary lists containing transnational

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

David added: "These convictions send a clear message that transnational repression, foreign interference, unauthorised surveillance, and attempts to operate outside the law will not be tolerated on British soil."

From BBC • Jun. 18, 2026

Orduna denounced giving water -- a "resource that doesn't exist" in San Juan -- to transnational organizations rather than saving it for vital uses.

From Barron's • Jun. 15, 2026

Both sides saw an opportunity to pursue deals on critical minerals, rare-earth supply chains and cooperation on transnational crime.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 7, 2026

MS-13 is a transnational gang which was designated as a terrorist organisation by the US last year.

From BBC • Apr. 21, 2026

“Other attacks on American soil were by nations; this is the first transnational terrorist attack on the World Trade Center.”

From "Towers Falling" by Jewell Parker Rhodes

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