adj Uncommon

transverse

Transverse (adj) means lying or placed crosswise, at an angle to the main direction. Example: “The bridge has transverse beams supporting the roadway.”

adj

Lying or placed crosswise, at an angle to the main direction.

"The bridge has transverse beams supporting the roadway."

Running at right angles to the long axis of the body.

"The scan showed a transverse section of the patient's abdomen."

noun

Something lying crosswise, such as a beam or road.

"A wooden transverse braced the frame of the old barn."

How to use transverse

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishCrosswise, running at an angle to the main line or axis of something.

Common pairings

transverse beam transverse section transverse axis

Word forms

transversed past tense, transverses plural, transverses singular

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Test yourself on “transverse” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The bridge has _____ beams supporting the roadway.

Etymology

From Latin transversus, "turned across," a doublet of "transversal."

Origin: Latin

Rhymes for transverse

verse averse inverse reverse adverse diverse immerse universe converse perverse disperse traverse

See all rhymes for transverse →

Frequently asked questions

What does “transverse” mean?

The word “transverse” means lying or placed crosswise, at an angle to the main direction. In plain terms, crosswise, running at an angle to the main line or axis of something.

How do you use “transverse” in a sentence?

Here is “transverse” used in a sentence: “The bridge has transverse beams supporting the roadway.”

What part of speech is “transverse”?

Depending on how it is used, “transverse” can be an adjective and a noun.

Where does the word “transverse” come from?

The word “transverse” comes from Latin. From Latin transversus, "turned across," a doublet of "transversal.".

Is “transverse” a common word?

“Transverse” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “transverse” have?

“Transverse” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: lying or placed crosswise, at an angle to the main direction.