transcendental

adjective

tran·​scen·​den·​tal ˌtran(t)-ˌsen-ˈden-tᵊl 

-sən-

1

a

: transcendent sense 1b

b

: supernatural

c

: abstruse, abstract

d

: of or relating to transcendentalism

2

a

: incapable of being the root of an algebraic equation with rational coefficients

π is a transcendental number

b

: being, involving, or representing a function (such as sin x, log x, e^x) that cannot be expressed by a finite number of algebraic operations

transcendental curves

3

in Kantian philosophy

a

: of or relating to experience as determined by the mind's makeup

b

: transcending experience but not human knowledge

4

: transcendent sense 1a

transcendentally

ˌtran(t)-ˌsen-ˈden-tᵊl-ē 

-sən-

adverb

Synonyms

• metaphysical
• otherworldly
• paranormal
• preternatural
• supernatural
• transcendent
• unearthly

Examples of transcendental in a Sentence

the concept of the soul as a transcendental entity that exists entirely apart from the body

in his speeches he manifests a transcendental ability to inspire people from all points on the political spectrum

Recent Examples on the Web

In recent years the museum has hosted a number of notable exhibitions of work by Frey, by designer and architect Alexander Girard, by transcendental artist Agnes Pelton and by California painter Wayne Thiebaud. —Booth Moore, WWD, 17 June 2024

The transcendental poets and Dante in the same week, Harriman-Jewell Series? —Patrick Neas, Kansas City Star, 26 Jan. 2024

If Christianity has a transcendental core rooted in and ultimately oriented to another world, that does not absolve us from persistent ethical striving in this one. —David Harsanyi, National Review, 25 Jan. 2024

Fortunately, mathematics also offers other ways of discerning whether a number is an integer, irrational or even transcendental. —Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 24 Jan. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1624, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

transcendental

adjective

tran·​scen·​den·​tal ˌtran(t)s-ˌen-ˈdent-ᵊl 

-ən-

: transcendent sense 2

transcendentally

-ᵊl-ē 

adverb