transcend

American  

[tran-send] / trænˈsɛnd /

verb (used with object)

1. to rise above or go beyond; overpass; exceed.

   to transcend the limits of thought; kindness transcends courtesy.

2. to outdo or exceed in excellence, elevation, extent, degree, etc.; surpass; excel.

   Synonyms:

   outstrip

3. Theology. (of the Deity) to be above and independent of (the universe, time, etc.).

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verb (used without object)

1. to be transcendent or superior; excel.

   His competitiveness made him want to transcend.

transcend British  

/ trænˈsɛnd /

verb

1. to go above or beyond (a limit, expectation, etc), as in degree or excellence

2. (tr) to be superior to

3. philosophy theol (esp of the Deity) to exist beyond (the material world)

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Other Word Forms

• transcendingly adverb
• untranscended adjective

Etymology

Origin of transcend

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Latin trānscendere “to surmount,” from trāns- trans- + -scendere (combining form of scandere “to climb”)

Example Sentences

But despite the loss of a generational talent that transcended the game he loved, his legacy and impact on snooker and those who knew him remain as strong as ever.

From BBC

“It’s not a John Mayer thing. With the greatest respect, it’s not even a Henson thing. Kermit, to me, had transcended all of that and become a part of the fabric of this community.”

From Los Angeles Times

In a historic building in central Tripoli, Libyans wander past ancient statues and artefacts, rediscovering a heritage that transcends political divides at their national museum which reopened this month after a 2011 uprising.

From Barron's

In the process, this remarkable painter transcends Christian theology to create images with universal appeal.

From The Wall Street Journal

Joshua remains a popular figure in Britain, a star transcended beyond boxing, but the United States is different.

From BBC

Related Words

• eclipse
• outstrip
• overstep
• transform