trans*

¹ American  

[trans, tranz, trans stahr, trans as-ter-isk, tranz as‐] / træns, trænz, ˈtræns ˈstɑr, ˈtræns ˈæs tər ɪsk, ˈtrænz ˈæs‐ /

adjective

1. of or relating to people with gender expressions outside traditional norms, as transgender, genderqueer, agender, or nonbinary: campus groups that welcome trans* students.

   important trans* issues;

   campus groups that welcome trans* students.

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noun

1. Usually Offensive. a person with a gender identity outside traditional gender norms.

trans ² American  

[trans, tranz] / træns, trænz /

adjective

1. transgender.

   Their son is trans.

   Laura is a trans woman.

2. (no longer in common use) transsexual.

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noun

plural

transes,

plural

trans

1. Usually Offensive. a person who is transgender.

trans- ³ American  

1. a prefix occurring in loanwords from Latin (transcend; transfix ); on this model, used with the meanings “across,” “beyond,” “through,” “changing thoroughly,” “transverse,” in combination with elements of any origin: transisthmian; trans-Siberian; transempirical; transvalue.

2. Chemistry. a prefix denoting a geometric isomer having a pair of identical atoms or groups on the opposite sides of two atoms linked by a double bond.

3. Astronomy. a prefix denoting something farther from the sun (than a given planet): trans-Martian; trans-Neptunian.

4. a prefix meaning “on the other side of,” referring to the misalignment of one’s gender identity with one's sex assigned at birth: transgender.

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trans. ⁴ American  

abbreviation

1. transaction.

2. transfer.

3. transferred.

4. transformer.

5. transit.

6. transitive.

7. translated.

8. translation.

9. translator.

10. transparent.

11. transportation.

12. transpose.

13. transverse.

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trans. ¹ British  

abbreviation

1. transaction

2. transferred

3. transitive

4. translated

5. translator

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trans- ² British  

prefix

1. across, beyond, crossing, on the other side

   transoceanic

   trans-Siberian

   transatlantic

2. changing thoroughly

   transliterate

3. transcending

   transubstantiation

4. transversely

   transect

5. (often in italics) indicating that a chemical compound has a molecular structure in which two groups or atoms are on opposite sides of a double bond Compare cis-

   trans-butadiene

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Sensitive Note

See trans, transgender.

The terms transgender and trans are generally accepted as interchangeable. However, some people prefer the shortened adjective trans to avoid any reference to assigned sex or binary gender in this inclusive identity label. Many transgender people prefer writing trans compounds as two words, as in trans man, trans woman, and trans person. When so written as an open compound with a space, trans functions as an adjective modifying a noun such as man. Spelling these words as closed or hyphenated compounds, as in transmale and trans-people, loses the distinction between trans as a descriptive adjective and man, woman, or person as a human being. Similarly, cis male and cis female are the preferred spelling of these terms. See also transgender.

Etymology

Origin of trans*¹

First recorded in 2000–05; by shortening of transgender ( def. )

Origin of trans²

First recorded in 1970–75; by shortening

Origin of trans-³

From Latin, combining form of trāns (adverb and preposition) “across, beyond, through”

Example Sentences

After attending a protest against federal workforce cuts early last year, Joslin wanted to organize a group of climbers to make a statement in support of the trans community.

From The Wall Street Journal

They found El Capitan a fitting place to make the point that “trans is natural.”

From The Wall Street Journal

That film tells the story of a man falling for the trans director of a dance troupe and received critical acclaim as well the Jury Prize and the "Queer Palm" at Cannes.

From Barron's

His burns are now starting to heal, and will see how his recovery goes before deciding whether he can take part in the Trans Gran Canaria event.

From BBC

Experienced marathon runner Callum, from Cumnock was scaling Goat Fell last Saturday as part of his training for the upcoming Trans Gran Canaria ultramarathon.

From BBC