transept
noun
tran·sept
ˈtran(t)-ˌsept 
: the part of a cruciform church that crosses at right angles to the greatest length between the nave and the apse or choir
also
: either of the projecting ends of a transept
Examples of transept in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Interior Design As with most Roman Catholic and Western European churches, the floor plan of La Sagrada Familia is based on a Latin cross, with a long nave intersected by a transept to give the structure its basic cruciform shape.
—
Michael Y. Park, Architectural Digest, 23 Sep. 2024
By the time of Gaudí’s death in 1926, the Sagrada Familia was just 10 to 15 percent complete, including a crypt, a transept, and some of the apse wall.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 26 Mar. 2024
The corners of the building’s transepts will be bumped out to improve sight lines and connections between the entire church building and will add about 100 seats in the process.
—Melissa Whatley, Baltimore Sun, 22 Jan. 2024
Over time, the former church’s transept became a bathroom; the sacristy a kitchen.
—Jeastman, oregonlive, 23 June 2023
Perpendicular to this, one level above, runs an east-west passage that contains a chapel space and an outdoor terrace, placed on axis with the transept of the synagogue.
—Michael J. Lewis, WSJ, 24 Mar. 2022
There are three main piles of debris—in the nave, the crossing and the north transept—as well as material still on top of the remaining vaults.
—Philip Ball, Scientific American, 9 Jan. 2020
The two western towers were finished and a spire was added to the crossing of the nave and transept.
—Washington Post, 16 Jan. 2020
The best place from which to see them is the juncture of nave and transept.
—Bruce Dale, National Geographic, 17 Apr. 2019
Michael Y. Park, Architectural Digest, 23 Sep. 2024
By the time of Gaudí’s death in 1926, the Sagrada Familia was just 10 to 15 percent complete, including a crypt, a transept, and some of the apse wall.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 26 Mar. 2024
The corners of the building’s transepts will be bumped out to improve sight lines and connections between the entire church building and will add about 100 seats in the process.
—Melissa Whatley, Baltimore Sun, 22 Jan. 2024
Over time, the former church’s transept became a bathroom; the sacristy a kitchen.
—Jeastman, oregonlive, 23 June 2023
Perpendicular to this, one level above, runs an east-west passage that contains a chapel space and an outdoor terrace, placed on axis with the transept of the synagogue.
—Michael J. Lewis, WSJ, 24 Mar. 2022
There are three main piles of debris—in the nave, the crossing and the north transept—as well as material still on top of the remaining vaults.
—Philip Ball, Scientific American, 9 Jan. 2020
The two western towers were finished and a spire was added to the crossing of the nave and transept.
—Washington Post, 16 Jan. 2020
The best place from which to see them is the juncture of nave and transept.
—Bruce Dale, National Geographic, 17 Apr. 2019
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'transept.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Transept.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/transept. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
transept
noun
tran·sept
ˈtran(t)s-ˌept
: the section forming the short arm of a church with a cross-shaped floor plan
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