transcontinental

American  

[trans-kon-tn-en-tl] / ˌtræns kɒn tnˈɛn tl /

adjective

1. passing or extending across a continent.

   a transcontinental railroad.

2. on the other, or far, side of a continent.

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transcontinental British  

/ ˌtrænzkɒntɪˈnɛntəl /

adjective

1. crossing a continent

2. on or from the far side of a continent

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Other Word Forms

• transcontinentally adverb

Etymology

Origin of transcontinental

An Americanism dating back to 1850–55; trans- + continental

Example Sentences

The dream of a transcontinental railway dates back to the Civil War.

From The Wall Street Journal

In July, Union Pacific agreed to buy Norfolk Southern for $72 billion, in a bid to create the first U.S. transcontinental railroad.

From The Wall Street Journal

The transcontinental merger is the rail industry’s main hope for reviving freight volumes, which have largely stagnated in recent years.

From Barron's

The transcontinental merger is the rail industry’s main hope for reviving freight volumes, which have largely stagnated in recent years.

From Barron's

Regulators have been skeptical of deals that could create a transcontinental rail juggernaut, worrying that they could result in price hikes, service disruptions and lower investment in safety improvements.

From The Wall Street Journal