traverse Definition
- 1to move or travel through an area
- 2to cross something, especially a mountain or area of water
- 3to go up, down, or across something, especially a slope
Using traverse: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "traverse" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
We traversed the desert in three days.
Example
The hikers traversed the mountain range.
Example
The ship traversed the Atlantic Ocean.
Example
She carefully traversed the icy path.
traverse Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for traverse
- cross
- transverse
- pass over
- travel across
- navigate
Idioms Using traverse
Example
The adventurer traversed the globe in search of new experiences.
Example
The army unit had to traverse the rugged terrain to reach their destination.
Example
The mediator helped the two sides traverse the divide and come to a compromise.
Phrases with traverse
Example
The marathon runners traversed a distance of 26.2 miles.
Example
The professor traversed the topic of climate change in her lecture.
Example
The skier expertly traversed the steep slope.
Origins of traverse
from Old French 'traverser', meaning 'to cross'
Summary: traverse in Brief
The verb 'traverse' [trəˈvɜːs] means to move or travel through an area, cross something like a mountain or area of water, or go up, down, or across something like a slope. It can be used in phrases like 'traverse a distance' or 'traverse a topic,' and idioms like 'traverse the globe,' which means to travel all around the world. 'Traverse' has formal synonyms like 'cross' and 'transverse,' and informal ones like 'go across' and 'make one's way through.'