1 transpire | Definition of transpire
Logo
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

transpire

verb
tran·​spire | \ tran(t)-ˈspÄ«(-É™)r How to pronounce transpire (audio) \
transpired; transpiring

Definition of transpire

intransitive verb

1 : to take place : go on, occur
2a : to become known or apparent : develop
b : to be revealed : come to light
3 : to give off vaporous material specifically : to give off or exude watery vapor especially from the surfaces of leaves
4 : to pass in the form of a vapor from a living body

transitive verb

: to pass off or give passage to (a fluid) through pores or interstices especially : to excrete (a fluid, such as water) in the form of a vapor through a living membrane (such as the skin)
Synonyms Can transpire mean 'to occur'?: Usage Guide Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about transpire

Keep scrolling for more

Can transpire mean 'to occur'?: Usage Guide

Sense 1 of transpire is the frequent whipping boy of those who suppose sense 2 to be the only meaning of the word. Sense 1 appears to have developed in the late 18th century; it was well enough known to have been used by Abigail Adams in a letter to her husband in 1775. there is nothing new transpired since I wrote you last — Abigail Adams Noah Webster recognized the new sense in his dictionary of 1828. Transpire was evidently a popular word with 19th century journalists; sense 1 turns up in such pretentiously worded statements as "The police drill will transpire under shelter to-day in consequence of the moist atmosphere prevailing." Around 1870 the sense began to be attacked as a misuse on the grounds of etymology, and modern critics echo the damnation of 1870. Sense 1 has been in existence for about two centuries; it is firmly established as standard; it occurs now primarily in serious prose, not the ostentatiously flamboyant prose typical of 19th century journalism.

Did You Know?

Transpire came to life in the late 16th century and was originally used in technical contexts to describe the passage of vapor through the pores of a membrane. From this technical use developed a figurative sense: to escape from secrecy, or to become known. That sense was often used in ambiguous contexts and could be taken to mean happen. (For example, Emily Dickinson wrote in a letter, I long to see you once more ... to tell you of many things which have transpired since we parted.) Thus the to take place sense developed. Around 1870, usage critics began to attack this sense as a misuse, and modern critics occasionally echo that sentiment. But the sense has been common for two centuries and today is found in serious and polished prose.

Examples of transpire in a Sentence

No one will soon forget the historic events that transpired on that day. A plant transpires more freely on a hot dry day. Trees transpire water at a rapid rate.
See More

Recent Examples on the Web

 And despite all the drama that transpired with Antonio Brown, Gruden clearly had the Raiders ready to play. — Jerry Mcdonald, The Mercury News, "Raiders report card: Big night for Jon Gruden, Derek Carr, defense," 11 Sep. 2019 The most successful fantasy players understand that even the best of his or her preseason models/projections can go awry depending on a myriad of factors that transpire once the regular season begins. — Frankie Taddeo, SI.com, "Fantasy Football 2019: Week 2 Players You Can Drop," 10 Sep. 2019 Evidence of interbreeding during any migrations before then, or during events that transpired earlier within Africa, has been elusive. — Wired, "Humans and Neanderthals Kept Breeding—and Breeding—for Ages," 1 Sep. 2019 Evidence of interbreeding during any migrations before then, or during events that transpired earlier within Africa, has been elusive. — Quanta Magazine, "Fossil DNA Reveals New Twists in Modern Human Origins," 29 Aug. 2019 There’s a couple of different things that transpired that lead us to this and one of them is my wife has cancer. — Jon Kelvey, baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll, "Carroll Biz Challenge: Finalist KnowMe aims to put your medical records on your wrist," 6 Aug. 2019 So much is being made of the leadership the Celtics need, how Walker will have to be the fulcrum for all that transpires in the wake of departures by Irving and Al Horford. — Mike Anthony, courant.com, "Mike Anthony: Kemba Walker brings maturity and dependability that Boston is going to love," 18 July 2019 In interviews with board members and university administrators, representatives from the accrediting agency found stark disagreements about the events that transpired after McNair died. — Talia Richman, baltimoresun.com, "Why has the University of Maryland been placed on 'warning' by its accrediting agency?," 2 July 2019 Had the unprecedented news media coverage of the events that transpired so influenced and subjugated the minds of prospective jurors that a fair trial could not have been accorded Nixon for a year, for two years—three years? — Matt Ford, The New Republic, "Ex-President Trump on Trial," 18 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'transpire.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

See More

First Known Use of transpire

1597, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

History and Etymology for transpire

Middle French transpirer, from Medieval Latin transpirare, from Latin trans- + spirare to breathe

Keep scrolling for more

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for transpire

transpire

verb
How to pronounce transpire (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of transpire

formal : to happen
formal : to become known
technical, of a plant : to have water evaporate from the surface of leaves

See the full definition for transpire in the English Language Learners Dictionary

transpire

verb
trans·​pire | \ trans-ˈpÄ«r How to pronounce transpire (audio) \
transpired; transpiring

Kids Definition of transpire

1 : to come to pass : happen Important events transpired that day.
2 : to become known or apparent It transpired that they had met before.
3 : to give off water vapor through openings in the leaves

Keep scrolling for more

More from Merriam-Webster on transpire

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with transpire

WORD OF THE DAY

See Definitions and Examples

Get Word of the Day daily email!