WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
trans•verse /trænsˈvɜrs, trænz-; ˈtrænsvɜrs, ˈtrænz-/USA pronunciation
adj.
n. [countable]
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- extending in a crosswise direction:a transverse beam.
n. [countable]
- something transverse.
trans•verse
(trans vûrs′, tranz-; trans′vûrs, tranz′-),USA pronunciation adj.
n.
trans•verse ′ly, adv.
- lying or extending across or in a cross direction;
cross. - (of a flute) having a mouth hole in the side of the tube, near its end, across which the player's breath is directed. Cf. end-blown.
- Automotive(of an automotive engine) mounted with the crankshaft oriented sideways.
n.
- something that is transverse.
- [Naut.]See web frame.
- [Geom.]See transverse axis.
- a city road that cuts through a park or other area of light traffic;
shortcut.
- Latin trānsversus going or lying across, athwart. See traverse
- 1610–20
'transversely' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
across
- athwart
- barge course
- barwise
- bat
- corduroy
- cross section
- cross-grained
- crossbow
- crossroad
- crosswise
- director's chair
- faille
- hammer
- hoe
- linchpin
- lute
- lyrate
- oblique
- pyxidium
- rep
- scuff
- sgabello
- sheep
- toggle
- trans-
- transcurrent
- transect
- transverse colon
- traverse
- truncate
- wing