Traverse

/trəˈvɜrs/

Meaning & Definition

noun
A path or route across an area.
The traverse across the forest was well-marked.
An act of traversing; a crossing or passage.
The traverse of the river was more challenging than expected.
verb
To pass across, over, or through.
We need to traverse the mountain to reach the other side.
To travel or move through a place or area.
He plans to traverse the country on foot.
To move back and forth or to and fro.
The knight would traverse the battlefield, looking for opportunities.
To inspect or examine (in a systematic manner).
The engineer will traverse the site to assess the structural integrity.

Etymology

Middle English traversen, from Old French traverser, from Latin transversare 'to turn across'

Common Phrases and Expressions

traverse the landscape
to travel across a specific area of land.
traverse the line
to cross over a boundary or limit.
traverse time zones
to move across different geographic areas with different local times.

Related Words

cross
to go from one side to the other.
navigate
to plan and direct the course of a journey.
explore
to travel through (an unfamiliar area) in order to learn about it.

Slang Meanings

to get through a tough situation
He managed to traverse the craziness of the party.
to dodge or avoid obstacles
You have to traverse around the drama at work.