transition

[ tran-zish-uhn, -sish- ]

noun

1. movement, passage, or change from one position, state, stage, subject, concept, etc., to another; change:

   The transition from adolescence to adulthood can be difficult.

   Synonyms: conversion, passing, changeover

2. Music.
   1. a passing from one key to another; modulation.
   2. a brief modulation; a modulation used in passing.
   3. a sudden, unprepared modulation.
3. a passage from one scene to another by sound effects, music, etc., as in a television program, theatrical production, or the like.
4. Also called gen·der tran·si·tion [jen, -der tran-, zish, -, uh, n, -, sish, -]. the process by which a transgender person comes to openly express their gender identity, including changes to their way of dressing, acting, or speaking, to their pronouns, name, or legal gender marker, or to their physical characteristics via hormone therapy and surgery:

   When I began my transition, there was very little information online about testosterone.

verb (used without object)

1. to make a transition:

   He had difficulty transitioning from enlisted man to officer.

2. (of a transgender person) to move toward openly expressing one's gender identity, often by making changes to one's way of dressing, acting, or speaking, to one's pronouns, name, or legal gender marker, or to one's physical characteristics via hormone therapy and surgery:

   My friend is transitioning socially, but she doesn't want hormone therapy or surgery.

transition

/ trænˈzɪʃən /

noun

1. change or passage from one state or stage to another
2. the period of time during which something changes from one state or stage to another
3. music
   1. a movement from one key to another; modulation
   2. a linking passage between two divisions in a composition; bridge
4. Also calledtransitional a style of architecture that was used in western Europe in the late 11th and early 12th century, characterized by late Romanesque forms combined with early Gothic details
5. physics
   1. any change that results in a change of physical properties of a substance or system, such as a change of phase or molecular structure
   2. a change in the configuration of an atomic nucleus, involving either a change in energy level resulting from the emission of a gamma-ray photon or a transformation to another element or isotope
6. a sentence, passage, etc, that connects a topic to one that follows or that links sections of a written work

Derived Forms

• tranˈsitionally, adverb
• tranˈsitional, adjective

Other Word Forms

• tran·si·tion·al tran·si·tion·a·ry [tran-, zish, -, uh, -ner-ee, -, sish, -], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of transition¹

First recorded in 1545–55; from Latin trānsitiōn-, stem of trānsitiō “passage, transit across,” from trānsit(us) “gone across” (past participle of trānsīre “to go across, pass over”; transit none ) + -iō -ion none

Word History and Origins

Origin of transition¹

C16: from Latin transitio ; see transient

Example Sentences

The transition happened when my boyfriend at the time, a well-known fashion photographer, invited me to a photo shoot in L.A.

From Los Angeles Times

Nuala Toman, from Disability Action, said that usually meant means transitioning from receiving support specifically designed for disabled people, to accessing services catered towards the needs of older people.

From BBC

It’s impressive enough as it stands, but when the skirt opens to reveal a team of dancers inside of it as Gaga transitions from “Bloody Mary” to “Abracadabra,” it seems almost unworldly.

From Salon

The licenses of local dealers have also been revoked but given a grace period to allow a smooth transition before the directive takes effect next month.

From BBC

Given the way his shock transition from footballing inspiration to owner and investor has got people talking, that should not be an issue.

From BBC

Related Words

• changeover
• conversion
• development
• evolution
• growth
• passage
• progress
• progression
• shift
• transformation
• upheaval