transatlantic

adjective

1
a
: crossing or extending across the Atlantic Ocean
a transatlantic cable
b
: relating to or involving crossing the Atlantic Ocean
transatlantic airfares
2
a
: situated or originating from beyond the Atlantic Ocean
b
: of, relating to, or involving countries on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean and especially the U.S. and Great Britain
transatlantic cooperation

Examples of transatlantic in a Sentence

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.
The first successful transatlantic telegraph exchange between heads of state occurred on this day in 1858. Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 5 Aug. 2026 The first telegraph message crossed the Atlantic via transatlantic cable, with Queen Victoria and President James Buchanan exchanging congratulatory messages. USA Today, 4 Aug. 2026 Since Cape Verde sits along transatlantic sailing routes between Europe and the Caribbean, yacht tourism has the potential to generate an average of $300 to $400 per tourist per day. Emese MacZko, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026 Leo spoke about his family’s historical links to the transatlantic slave trade on Wednesday in response to a reporter’s question about his American heritage. Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for transatlantic

Word History

First Known Use

1779, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of transatlantic was in 1779

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Transatlantic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/transatlantic. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

Kids Definition

transatlantic

adjective
1
: crossing or extending across the Atlantic Ocean
a transatlantic cable
2
: located or coming from beyond the Atlantic Ocean
our transatlantic friends

More from Merriam-Webster on transatlantic

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster