Definition

1. Noun:

   • A change from one state, condition, place, or stage to another: The process or period of changing.
   • A passage connecting one topic, section, or idea to the next: A linking element in speech or writing.
   • A musical passage moving from one key or section to another: A modulation or bridge in a composition.
   • An event that causes a transformation: A significant change that results in something different.

2. Verb:

   • To make or undergo a change from one state or system to another: To change or cause to change over time.
   • To cause to convert or undergo a transition: To facilitate a changeover from an old method to a new one.

Usage and Examples

• Noun:

  • The country is in a period of economic transition. (The country is changing from one economic system to another.)
  • The essay lacked a smooth transition between the two main arguments. (The essay did not have a good connecting passage between ideas.)
  • The composer wrote a beautiful transition from the slow movement to the finale. (The composer wrote a musical passage connecting the slow part to the fast ending.)

• Verb:

  • The company is transitioning to a fully remote work model. (The company is in the process of changing to a remote work system.)
  • The film transitions seamlessly from a dream sequence back to reality. (The film changes smoothly from a dream back to the real world.)

Advanced Usage

• "In transition": In the process of changing from one state to another.
  • The industry is currently in transition, adapting to new digital technologies.
• "Transition period/phase": The specific time during which a change is happening.
  • The first six months are considered a transition period for new employees.

Variants and Related Words

• Transitional (adjective): Relating to or characteristic of a change or passage.
  • We need a transitional government to oversee the reforms.
• Transition (noun, specific contexts):
  • In film/editing: A visual effect (like a fade or wipe) between scenes.
  • In physics: A change from one energy state to another in an atom.

Synonyms

• Change: The act or instance of making or becoming different.
• Shift: A slight change in position, direction, or tendency.
• Conversion: The process of changing or causing something to change from one form to another.
• Passage: The process of transitioning from one state to another.

Related Phrasal Verbs/Constructions

• Transition into/to: To change and become something else, or to move into a new state.
  • The quiet town is transitioning into a bustling commercial hub.
• Transition out of: To change by leaving a previous state or system.
  • The soldier needed help to transition out of military life.

Related Idioms/Phrases

• A smooth/rough transition: Describes how easy or difficult a change process is.
  • The merger led to a rough transition for the staff.
• Period of transition: A commonly used phrase to describe a time of significant change.
  • Adolescence is a natural period of transition from childhood to adulthood.

Noun

1. a passage that connects a topic to one that follows
2. a musical passage moving from one key to another
3. a change from one place or state or subject or stage to another
4. an event that results in a transformation
5. the act of passing from one state or place to the next

Verb

1. make or undergo a transition (from one state or system to another)
   • The airline transitioned to more fuel-efficient jets
   • The adagio transitioned into an allegro
2. cause to convert or undergo a transition
   • the company had to transition the old practices to modern technology