trance

1 of 2

noun

1
2
: a sleeplike state (as of deep hypnosis) usually characterized by partly suspended animation with diminished or absent sensory and motor activity
3
: a state of profound abstraction or absorption
trancelike adjective

trance

2 of 2

verb

tranced; trancing

Examples of trance in a Sentence

Noun The spiritual healer fell into a trance. He was staring out the window in a trance.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
As the sun rose, organizers played the same trance track that was abruptly halted when the barrage of rockets began. Melanie Lidman and Tia Goldenberg, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2024 The trailer features Drake in a trance while posted up in the corner of a speakeasy, sipping on a drink as he’s surrounded by chatty women not paying him any mind. Michael Saponara, Billboard, 3 Feb. 2025 Hypnosis is a method that puts someone in a trance or dream-like state, a relaxed condition, and it has been practiced for thousands of years. Essence, 7 Jan. 2025 This move paralyzes them and causes the whale sharks to slip into a kind of trance. Rachel Raposas, People.com, 13 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for trance

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English traunce, from Anglo-French transe death, coma, rapture, from transir to depart, die, from Latin transire to cross, pass by — more at transient

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

circa 1598, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of trance was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Trance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trance. Accessed 27 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

trance

noun
ˈtran(t)s
1
2
: a sleeplike state (as of deep hypnosis)
3
: a state of being so deeply absorbed in something as to be unaware of one's surroundings
trancelike
-ˌlīk
adjective

Medical Definition

trance

noun
1
: a sleeplike altered state of consciousness (as of deep hypnosis) usually characterized by partly suspended animation with diminished or absent sensory and motor activity and subsequent lack of recall
2
: a state of profound abstraction or absorption
trancelike adjective
or trance-like
a trancelike state

More from Merriam-Webster on trance

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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