1. the state of being beyond the limits of ordinary experience or material existence
2. the quality of surpassing or excelling beyond normal limits
3. in philosophy and religion, the existence or experience of a reality beyond the physical world
Usage: philosophy; religion

Examples

• The artist sought transcendence through her spiritual practice.
• His performance showed a transcendence of ordinary human limitations.
• Many religions emphasize the transcendence of the divine over earthly matters.
• The musician’s transcendence of traditional genres created something entirely new.
• She found transcendence in moments of deep meditation.
• The philosopher wrote extensively about the transcendence of consciousness.
• Their love seemed to achieve a kind of transcendence beyond the physical world.