transition
/trænˈzɪʃn/ (bre, ipa) · /trænˈzɪʃn/ (ame, ipa) · /tran(t)-ˈsi-shən tran-ˈzi- chiefly British tran(t)-ˈsi-zhən/ (ame, mw) · /trænˈzɪʃ.ən/ (bre, ipa) · /trænˈzɪʃ.ən/ (ame, ipa)
transition — noun
- transitionsingular
- transitionsplural
1. The period or set of steps during which a situation, system, or way of organisin
The period or set of steps during which a situation, system, or way of organising things moves from one stage or arrangement into another.
The country faces a difficult transition from military rule to a democratically elected government.
transition from X to Y — structure showing before and after states
Christopher's company hired a consultant to help manage the transition to new software.
Heloísa learned about puberty as a natural transition during her middle-school health class.
Sivan felt nervous during the transition from high school to university.
The team is in transition, with several senior members retiring this year.
- change
broader term; transition emphasises a gradual or structured process, not just any alteration
- shift
can be more abrupt; transition usually implies a longer process
- conversion
suggests a more complete transformation into something different
- stability
a state where no change is happening
文法句型
transition + from + to + noun phrase
用法筆記
Often uncountable when describing the process generally ("during transition"), but countable when referring to a specific instance ("a smooth transition"). Frequently paired with prepositions 'from' and 'to' to mark the starting and ending states.
常見錯誤
2. The process, which can include social, legal, and medical steps, by which a pers
The process, which can include social, legal, and medical steps, by which a person starts to live according to their gender identity, which may be different from the gender they were assigned at birth.
Rania began her transition by asking friends and family to use her chosen name.
social transition — changing name, pronouns, and presentation
Soraya's employer introduced a policy that provides paid leave during an employee's gender transition.
The documentary follows three people at different stages of their medical transition.
Selim chose social transition first and later decided to explore medical options.
Linh's family attended a support group to learn how to be helpful during her transition.
- gender affirmation
a broader term that also covers steps taken before, during, and after transition, with emphasis on affirming one's identity
文法句型
transition + to + noun phrase
用法筆記
Transition can be purely social (name, clothing, pronouns) or include medical elements (hormone therapy, surgeries). The term emphasises that this is a personal process with no single required path. Not everyone who transitions identifies as transgender; some identify as nonbinary, gender-fluid, or use other labels.
常見錯誤
3. In team sports such as basketball or soccer, the switch from attacking play to d
In team sports such as basketball or soccer, the switch from attacking play to defending, or from defending to attacking, which happens when one team gains or loses possession of the ball.
The Lakers scored twelve points on fast-break transition plays in the second quarter.
transition play — offensive move right after gaining possession
Coach Kofi warned his players that a turnover can start a quick opposing transition.
After losing the ball in the third quarter, the Warriors sprinted back on defence.
Amira's soccer team practises three-on-two drills to improve their attacking transition.
文法句型
on the transition
transition game
用法筆記
Most common in basketball commentary and coaching, but also used in soccer, ice hockey, rugby, and handball. The phrase 'transition game' refers to a team's overall ability to switch between offence and defence quickly.
4. In music, writing, film, or speech, a brief segment that links two different sec
In music, writing, film, or speech, a brief segment that links two different sections, subjects, or moods without confusing the audience.
The pianist played a gentle transition between the slow movement and the lively finale.
transition between X and Y — connecting two sections
Élise added a short transition paragraph to link the climate chapter with the policy chapter.
The editor used a fade-to-black transition between the two scenes.
Zayd's TED talk used a transition from dry data to a patient's moving story.
文法句型
transition + between + noun phrase
transition + from + noun + to + noun
用法筆記
In music, this sense overlaps with the term 'bridge' but is broader — a transition may be as short as a single chord or as long as a full passage. In writing, transition words (also called 'signposts') such as 'however', 'meanwhile', and 'in addition' serve this connecting function at the sentence level.
transition — verb
- transitionpresent simple I / you / we / they
- transitions3rd person singular
- transitioning-ing form
- transitionedpast simple
1. To move, or to help something move, from one stage, condition, or way of operati
To move, or to help something move, from one stage, condition, or way of operating to a different one, often following a planned process.
The company plans to transition from paper records to a digital filing system by March.
transition from X to Y — intransitive, organisation as subject
Ishaan helped transition the small business onto a cloud-based accounting platform.
transition + object + onto/to — transitive, helping someone move to a new system
Schools across the district are transitioning to a new curriculum next semester.
Beatriz transitioned from working as a nurse to teaching at the medical college.
The city council is transitioning 200 library staff into digital roles in its modernisation plan.
文法句型
transition + from + noun + to + noun
transition + someone/something + from + noun + to + noun
用法筆記
Intransitive use ("the company transitioned to digital") is more common. The transitive use ("they transitioned the team to new software") is more formal and typical in business or organisational contexts. When a person moves to a new role, 'transition into' is preferred over 'transition to'.
常見錯誤
2. To start living as the gender one truly identifies with, through steps that may
To start living as the gender one truly identifies with, through steps that may include changing one's name, clothing, legal documents, or seeking medical care.
Owen transitioned during his second year of university and found a supportive community there.
Putri called the clinic and asked to speak with a counselor about transitioning.
Camila decided to transition socially at work before pursuing any medical steps.
Antonia began her transition at seventeen, after coming out to her parents during winter break.
- come out as transgender
coming out is about revealing one's identity to others; transitioning is the active process of living in accordance with that identity
文法句型
transition
用法筆記
Almost always intransitive. Used respectfully with the person's chosen name and pronouns in any discussion. Not all people who transition use the label 'transgender' — some identify as nonbinary, genderqueer, or simply as themselves. Avoid phrases like 'fully transitioned', which imply a single end point.
常見錯誤
3. In team sports like basketball, to switch quickly between attacking and defendin
In team sports like basketball, to switch quickly between attacking and defending roles when possession of the ball changes hands.
The guard stole the ball and immediately transitioned to offence, driving toward the basket.
transition to offence — switch from defence to attack after gaining possession
The team struggled to transition back on defence after missing a shot.
transition back on defence — hurrying to defend after losing possession
Xiu reads the play well and transitions before the opponents set up their defence.
Soraya lost the ball and sprinted back to transition to defence before the team scored.
- fast break
a specific type of transition offence where a team moves the ball quickly down the court before the defence sets up
文法句型
transition + from + noun + to + noun
用法筆記
Primarily a basketball term, though increasingly used in soccer and hockey analysis. The noun form is far more common than the verb in sports contexts. Coaches often use 'get back' or 'push the ball' instead of 'transition' when speaking to players directly.