traverse

[ trav-ers, truh-vurs ]

/ ˈtræv ərs, trəˈvɜrs /

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See synonyms for: traverse / traversed / traversing / traversable on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), trav·ersed, trav·ers·ing.

to pass or move over, along, or through.

to go to and fro over or along.

to extend across or over: A bridge traverses the stream.

to go up, down, or across (a rope, mountain, hill, etc.) at an angle: The climbers traversed the east face of the mountain.

to ski across (a hill or slope).

to cause to move laterally.

to look over, examine, or consider carefully; survey; consider.

to go counter to; obstruct; thwart.

to contradict or deny.

Law.

(in the law of pleading) to deny formally (an allegation of fact set forth in a previous pleading).
to join issue upon.

to turn and point (a gun) in any direction.

verb (used without object), trav·ersed, trav·ers·ing.

to pass along or go across something; cross: a point in the river where we could traverse.

to ski across a hill or slope on a diagonal.

to turn laterally, as a gun.

Fencing. to glide the blade toward the hilt of the contestant's foil while applying pressure to the blade.

noun

the act of passing across, over, or through.

something that crosses, obstructs, or thwarts; obstacle.

a transversal or similar line.

a place where one may traverse or cross; crossing.

Architecture. a transverse gallery or loft of communication in a church or other large building.

a bar, strip, rod, or other structural part placed or extending across; crosspiece; crossbar.

a railing, lattice, or screen serving as a barrier.

Nautical.

the zigzag track of a vessel compelled by contrary winds or currents to sail on different courses.
each of the runs in a single direction made in such sailing.

Fortification.

a defensive barrier, parapet, or the like, placed transversely.
a defensive barrier thrown across the terreplein or the covered way of a fortification to protect it from enfilade fire.

Gunnery. the horizontal turning of a gun so as to make it point in any required direction.

Machinery.

the motion of a lathe tool or grinding wheel along a piece of work.
a part moving along a piece of work in this way, as the carriage of a lathe.

Surveying. a series of intersecting surveyed lines whose lengths and angles of intersection, measured at instrument stations, are recorded graphically on a map and in numerical form in data tables.Compare closed traverse.

Law. a formal denial of some matter of fact alleged by the other side.

adjective

lying, extending, or passing across; transverse.

OTHER WORDS FOR traverse

1 cross.

9 gainsay, dispute, challenge.

See synonyms for traverse on Thesaurus.com

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Origin of traverse

First recorded in 1250–1300; (verb) Middle English traversen, from Middle French traverser ”to cross,” from Late Latin trānsversāre, derivative of Latin trānsversus (see trans-, versus); (noun) Middle English travers(e), from Middle French traverse (from Latin trānsversa “something lying across,” feminine of trānsversus ) and travers (from Latin trānsversum passage across, neuter of trānsversus )

OTHER WORDS FROM traverse

tra·vers·a·ble, adjectivetra·vers·al, nountra·vers·er, nounnon·tra·vers·a·ble, adjective

re·trav·erse, verb, re·trav·ersed, re·trav·ers·ing.un·tra·vers·a·ble, adjectiveun·trav·ersed, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use traverse in a sentence

In every mission, your team of four had to traverse a linear, apocalyptic series of levels, pre-constructed with paths and cinematic events but remixed for each playthrough with new enemy and item configurations.
Back 4 Blood alpha test: Building decks, killing zombies, having co-op fun|Sam Machkovech|December 18, 2020|Ars Technica
Express forecastForecast in detailReal wintry cold is with us for a couple of days as winds traverse the snowy expanse to our northwest, holding highs mainly in the 30s.
D.C.-area forecast: Clearing but blustery today and remaining chilly into the weekend|David Streit|December 17, 2020|Washington Post
Many people left behind their jobs and spent their life savings on the quest, and at least four people died along the treacherous traverse through the Rocky Mountains.
Today in D.C.: Headlines to start your Wednesday in D.C., Maryland and Virginia|Dana Hedgpeth, Teddy Amenabar|December 10, 2020|Washington Post
In the new experiment, up to 76 photons traversed a network of 100 channels.
The new light-based quantum computer Jiuzhang has achieved quantum supremacy|Emily Conover|December 3, 2020|Science News

We traversed many miles of extremely rutted and potholed Forest Service roads, crossed soft loamy terrain, and crawled up steep, loose desert hardscrabble.
Sprinter vs. Teardrop Trailer: What's Best for Camping?|Will Taylor|November 28, 2020|Outside Online
Most of the young trekkers traversing the circuit still find time to check their email and update their Facebook pages.
Nepal’s Deadliest Avalanche Was Totally Avoidable|Dick Dorworth|October 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He is the chronicler of a colorful fashion-loving world, famously traversing Manhattan on his bicycle.
Bill Cunningham: Through the Lens of a Style King|Justin Jones|March 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Then again, traversing train tracks may be nothing compared to the social risks of moving to Brooklyn.
The Party Monster Lives For the Applause: Michael Alig’s Second Act|Caitlin Dickson|February 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But once there, traversing the arid desert plains and breaking bread with the indigenous peoples, inspiration struck.
Why Is Pauly Shore in Africa?|Rebecca Dana|June 11, 2010|DAILY BEAST
We were about nine hours of fair daylight traversing 160 miles of level or descending grade, with a light passenger train.
Glances at Europe|Horace Greeley
A broad paved road, traversing virgin forests, runs up the side of the mountain.
A Woman's Journey Round the World|Ida Pfeiffer
For a long time, as the reader knows, he had had a peculiar manner of traversing the country in all parts without being observed.
Toilers of the Sea|Victor Hugo
On traversing the shore, we discovered a morai, or rather a heap of bones.
Voyage of H.M.S. Pandora|Edward Edwards
After traversing two or three counties, I reached the confines of Lincolnshire.
The Romany Rye|George Borrow

British Dictionary definitions for traverse

traverse

/ (ˈtrævɜːs, trəˈvɜːs) /

verb

to pass or go over or back and forth over (something); cross

(tr) to go against; oppose; obstruct

to move or cause to move sideways or crosswise

(tr) to extend or reach across

to turn (an artillery gun) laterally on its pivot or mount or (of an artillery gun) to turn laterally

(tr) to look over or examine carefully

(tr) law to deny (an allegation of fact), as in pleading

(intr) fencing to slide one's blade towards an opponent's hilt while applying pressure against his blade

mountaineering to move across (a face) horizontally

(tr) nautical to brace (a yard) fore and aft

noun

something being or lying across, such as a transom

a gallery or loft inside a building that crosses it

maths another name for transversal (def. 1)

an obstruction or hindrance

fortifications a protective bank or other barrier across a trench or rampart

a railing, screen, or curtain

the act or an instance of traversing or crossing

a path or road across

nautical the zigzag course of a vessel tacking frequently

law the formal denial of a fact alleged in the opposite party's pleading

surveying a survey consisting of a series of straight lines, the length of each and the angle between them being measured

mountaineering a horizontal move across a face

adjective

being or lying across; transverse

adverb

an archaic word for across

Derived forms of traverse

traversable, adjectivetraversal, nountraverser, noun

Word Origin for traverse

C14: from Old French traverser, from Late Latin trānsversāre, from Latin trānsversus transverse

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

traverse

OTHER WORDS FOR traverse

Origin of traverse

OTHER WORDS FROM traverse

Words related to traverse

How to use traverse in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for traverse

Derived forms of traverse

Word Origin for traverse