transalpine

American  

[trans-al-pahyn, -pin, tranz-] / trænsˈæl paɪn, -pɪn, trænz- /

adjective

1. situated beyond the Alps, especially toward the north as viewed from Italy.

2. passing or extending across or through the Alps.

   a transalpine railway.

3. of, relating to, or characteristic of peoples or lands beyond the Alps.

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noun

1. a native or inhabitant of a country beyond the Alps.

transalpine British  

/ trænzˈælpaɪn /

adjective

1. situated in or relating to places beyond the Alps, esp from Italy

2. passing over the Alps

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noun

1. a transalpine person

Etymology

Origin of transalpine

1580–90; < Latin trānsalpīnus across the Alps, equivalent to trāns- trans- + Alp ( ēs ) the Alps + -īnus -ine ¹

Explanation

Use the adjective transalpine to describe people who live just north of the Alps, like your friend who lives in southern Germany. You're most likely to hear the word transalpine in a geography or earth science class. It assumes that you are looking north from Italy, toward the mountain range known as the Alps, and that you're talking about something on the far side of them. The prefix trans, "across" in Latin, along with alpine, which means "of the Alps," gives us the meaning "across the Alps."

Example Sentences

Starting in early 2022, following the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Czech government under Prime Minister Petr Fialla invested heavily in improving the existing Transalpine pipeline to the Italian port of Trieste.

From BBC • Oct. 28, 2025

Prosecutors are investigating the group for closing a valve on the Transalpine Pipeline in Bavaria last year and a protest at a refinery in Brandenburg.

From Reuters • Aug. 10, 2023

The territory acquired by these victories was organized into a Transalpine province; this province gradually went on increasing; its communications with Italy were assured, by the Romans obtaining possession of the passes of the Alps.

From Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 56, Number 348 by Various

The splendor of the cities of Transalpine Gaul in this vicinity is attested by remains more numerous and in better preservation than Italy affords save in a very few places.

From Foch the Man A Life of the Supreme Commander of the Allied Armies by Laughlin, Clara E. (Clara Elizabeth)

But, as was observed before, even Antonelli does not conceal his impotence as regards the Council, and as to others, it may suffice to acquaint Transalpine readers with one detail of Roman Court etiquette.

From Letters From Rome on the Council by D?llinger, Johann Joseph Ignaz von