transnational
Americanadjective
-
going beyond national boundaries or interests.
a transnational economy.
-
comprising persons, sponsors, etc., of different nationalities.
a transnational company.
noun
adjective
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of transnational
Explanation
A transnational company operates in more than one country. A transnational chain of coffee shops, for example, might have cafes in the United States, England, Spain, and China. Use the adjective transnational to describe companies, policies, languages, or anything else that exists in several nations at the same time. A transnational human rights law could affect every developed country in the world, for instance. Another way to say transnational is international or multinational. The definition of the Latin prefix trans, however, gives a clear clue to the word's meaning: "across, beyond, or to go beyond."
Vocabulary lists containing transnational
Human Geography - High School
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Words from the 2020 Vice Presidential Debate
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Content Summary 6.1: Origins and Outcomes of World War I in Global Context
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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.
MS-13 is a transnational gang which was designated as a terrorist organisation by the US last year.
From BBC • Apr. 21, 2026
Cambodian officials deny complicity with transnational scam syndicates.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 20, 2026
Naindeep Singh, executive director of the Jakara Movement, a prominent Sikh advocacy group based in California, described transnational extortion gangs as being active in the state for some time.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 18, 2026
In a statement An Garda Síochána said: "Today's arrest is another extremely important demonstration of the need for international law enforcement co-operation in tackling transnational organised crime."
From BBC • Apr. 17, 2026
“Other attacks on American soil were by nations; this is the first transnational terrorist attack on the World Trade Center.”
From "Towers Falling" by Jewell Parker Rhodes
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.
