What does transitional mean?
Transitional is an adjective describing something that serves as an intermediate stage in a process of change. It may refer to a period, arrangement, government, measure, or cultural form that exists temporarily while one condition gives way to another. The word is especially common in political, legal, historical, and artistic contexts. In a transitional government, for example, authority exists between two more clearly defined stages of political order; transitional measures may protect people during a change in policy; and transitional art may combine older and newer artistic traditions. Its connotation is usually neutral, though it can sometimes suggest that the arrangement is temporary, unsettled, or intended only as a bridge. Transitional is related in origin to transition, transit, transitory, and transitive. It is useful when the focus is not simply on something changing, but on the intermediate form or stage through which the change occurs.
adjectiveServing as a link or stage in the process of change from one condition, form, or arrangement to another. Characterized by temporary or intermediate status.
- Serving as or belonging to an intermediate stage in a process of change.
- Characterized by temporary or provisional status.
- Relating to a transition or a period of change.
"The government introduced transitional measures to protect consumers while the new regulations were introduced."
"The museum acquired a transitional sculpture that combines elements of traditional carving with modern abstract forms."
"The agreement includes transitional provisions intended to ease the move from the old system to the new one."
From politics to art, transitional describes the middle stage—the bridge between one official form and another.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does transitional come from?
Transitional was formed in English from transition together with the adjective-forming suffix -al. Transition derives from Latin transitio, a noun meaning “a passing across” or “a going over,” which comes from transire, “to pass across.” The same Latin root is reflected in cognates such as transit, transitory, and transitive. The English adjective developed to describe something that serves as an intermediate stage in a change.
Related word forms
How transitional is actually used
The word is especially common in formal, political, legal, historical, and technical contexts. It often suggests that the thing described exists temporarily while a larger change is taking place. In art and design, it can refer to work that mediates between different styles or traditions.
Easily confused with transitional
Transitional describes something that serves as an intermediate stage, whereas transitory describes something that lasts only briefly or passes quickly.
Transitional is normally an adjective, while transition is a noun or verb naming the process of change itself.