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Definition of transnational

transnational

/ˌtrænzˈnæʃənəl/
trans · na · tion · al

Adverb:transnationally
•
Plural:transnationals
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transnational Lexical Profile

transnational Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Extending or operating across national boundaries, often independently of individual state governments.

Example

"Addressing climate change requires coordinated transnational cooperation and shared environmental standards."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• noun

1

A large corporation or enterprise that produces and sells goods or services in multiple countries without being tied to a single national home base.

Example

"Major transnationals often shift their manufacturing supply chains across several continents to minimize production costs."

Synonyms
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Word Nuance & Usage

In political science and economics, 'transnational' is often distinguished from 'international': 'international' refers to official interactions between sovereign nation-states, whereas 'transnational' refers to networks, corporations, or processes that operate across borders independently of state governments.

• Rhymes for transnational

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the early 20th century (notably popularized by American writer Randolph Bourne in 1916) from the Latin prefix trans- ('across, beyond') combined with 'national'.

Cite this Entry


Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Transnational. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/transnational
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