transpire

verb

tran·​spire tran(t)-ˈspī(-ə)r How to pronounce transpire (audio)
transpired; transpiring
Synonyms of transpirenext

intransitive verb

1
: to take place : go on, occur
2
a
: 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)
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 (based on Latin spirare, meaning "to breathe") was originally used technically to describe the passage of vapor through the pores of a membrane (such as the skin). From this use developed the figurative sense: "to escape from secrecy" or "to become known." That sense was used in ambiguous contexts and often meant "to happen" or "to take place."

Synonyms

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 

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.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Stevenson is clearly upset after the events that transpired leading to the Bears losing on a last-second Hail Mary pass. —David Faris, Newsweek, 3 Nov. 2024 Do Secret Service details for the president and vice president always travel with a cooler of blood in case an emergency transfusion situation transpires? —Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 1 Nov. 2024 Everything that transpired came from his own imagination and the the various posters and memorabilia scattered about his room. —Erik Kain, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024 And that appears to have been precisely what transpired this evening. —Benjamin Weinthal, Fox News, 26 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for transpire 

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of transpire was in 1597

Podcast

Theme music by Joshua Stamper ©2006 New Jerusalem Music/ASCAP

Dictionary Entries Near transpire

transpiration stream

transpire

transpirometer

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Transpire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/transpire. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

transpire

verb
tran·​spire tran(t)s-ˈpī(ə)r How to pronounce transpire (audio)
transpired; transpiring
1
: to pass or give off in the form of water vapor through stomata in leaves
2
: to become known or apparent : become revealed
it transpired that we had the wrong address
3
: to come to pass : happen
what transpired last night

More from Merriam-Webster on transpire

Nglish: Translation of transpire for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of transpire for Arabic Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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