transcendent

[ tran-sen-duhnt ]

adjective

1. going beyond ordinary limits; surpassing; exceeding.
2. superior or supreme.
3. Theology. (of the Deity) transcending the universe, time, etc. Compare immanent ( def 3 ).
4. Philosophy.
   1. Scholasticism. above all possible modes of the infinite.
   2. Kantianism. transcending experience; not realizable in human experience. Compare transcendental ( defs 5a, 5c ).
   3. (in modern realism) referred to, but beyond, direct apprehension; outside consciousness.

noun

, Mathematics.

1. a transcendental function.

transcendent

/ trænˈsɛndənt /

adjective

1. exceeding or surpassing in degree or excellence
2. 1. (in the philosophy of Kant) beyond or before experience; a priori
   2. (of a concept) falling outside a given set of categories
   3. beyond consciousness or direct apprehension
3. theol (of God) having continuous existence outside the created world
4. free from the limitations inherent in matter

noun

1. philosophy a transcendent thing

Derived Forms

• tranˈscendentness, noun
• tranˈscendently, adverb
• tranˈscendence, noun

Other Words From

• tran·scendent·ly adverb
• tran·scendent·ness noun
• super·tran·scendent adjective
• super·tran·scendent·ly adverb
• super·tran·scendent·ness noun
• untran·scendent adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of transcendent¹

1575–85; < Latin trānscendent- (stem of trānscendēns ), present participle of trānscendere. See transcend, -ent

Example Sentences

Rutgers University climate scientist Robert Kopp tells Axios that the pandemic and the Texas disaster have shown us that the competence of public institutions is a predictor of the "severity" of transcendent disasters.

From Axios

We share with those other beings not the mysterious, transcendent essence of vitalism, but the highly improbable fact of being alive.

From Nautilus

Meditating in a room with no distractions whatsoever is a transcendent experience, and I urge you to try it out if you can.

From Popular-Science

In their Fiesta Bowl matchup last December, it was clear that Fields also possessed transcendent ability.

From Washington Post

It is art because it takes what seems invisible or disposable and renders it visible and transcendent.

From Vox

A Europe which is no longer open to the transcendent dimension of life is a Europe which risks slowly losing its own soul.

From The Daily Beast

We should play the role and realize that we are transcendent of it, and playing into it.

From The Daily Beast

But on a deeper, more transcendent level, Grenier is indeed on intimate terms with all these figures and their writing.

From The Daily Beast

While he was in a coma for seven days, his consciousness entered a series of transcendent realms.

From The Daily Beast

Scientists believe this is the basis of transcendent states of consciousness.

From The Daily Beast

They admit that a Feejee cannibal has just the same "mighty and transcendent soul" that they themselves have.

From Project Gutenberg

Some minds are incapable of any activity; others have acquired transcendent faculties.

From Project Gutenberg

His very simplicity of style is a proof of his transcendent art, even as it is the evidence of his severity of taste.

From Project Gutenberg

His services to the state were transcendent, but his supremest mission was to preserve the Hebrew nation.

From Project Gutenberg

Looking upon us, they are blind or of transcendent vision, as you will: the same in issue––so what matter?

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• abstract
• fantastic
• otherworldly
• sublime
• supernatural
• ultimate