transgression
Americannoun
noun
-
a breach of a law, etc; sin or crime
-
the act or an instance of transgressing
Related Words
See breach.
Other Word Forms
- nontransgression noun
Etymology
Origin of transgression
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin trānsgressiōn-, stem of trānsgressiō “passage across, transition, violation”; equivalent to transgress + -ion
Explanation
A transgression is something that is against a command or law. Whether you are cheating on a test, or cheating on a spouse, you are committing transgressions that are not easily forgiven. A transgression can be a failure to do your duty. A sin is a transgression against God. The noun transgression is from Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin "act of crossing, passing over," from transgredi "to step or pass over."
Vocabulary lists containing transgression
The Giver
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List 1
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Power Prefix: trans-
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In L.A. political circles, however, it will be viewed as a transgression, at least in the short term, he said.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 15, 2026
Are you trying to give people some kind of communal moment of transgression?
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 4, 2025
Bondi’s latest ethical transgression has not yet made it to court, but it likely will.
From Salon • Jun. 5, 2025
Which means any transgression in the next two races in Canada and Austria, and Verstappen will be forced to miss the next grand prix.
From BBC • Jun. 3, 2025
“I can’t help it,” he had argued glumly to the blind man, in the beginning of their life together, when he had been caught in some small transgression.
From "Messenger" by Lois Lowry
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
