noun
transition; transitional state; change from old to new
The main modern use refers to a state or period of changing from one condition, system, or era to another. Often appears in compounds such as 過渡期 or in 過渡的, meaning transitional or temporary.
この産業は今、過渡期にある。
This industry is now in a transitional period.
新しい制度が定着するまで、過渡的な措置が必要だ。
Until the new system takes hold, transitional measures are necessary.
noun
Literal sense connected with crossing over water or a ferry; uncommon in modern everyday use compared with the figurative 'transition' sense.
古い用法では、過渡は川を渡ることや渡しを指すことがある。
In older usage, 過渡 can refer to crossing a river or to a ferry.
Means temporary. 過渡的 can overlap with it, but 過渡的 specifically suggests being temporary because something is in transition.
A Sino-Japanese compound written with 過, associated with passing or going beyond, and 渡, associated with crossing. The literal idea of crossing is reflected in the rare 'crossing/ferry' sense, and the modern figurative use extends this to passing from one state to another.