The transversal part of a church, which crosses at right angles to the greatest length, and between the nave and choir. In the basilicas, this had often no projection at its two ends. In Gothic churches these project greatly, and should be called the arms of the transept. It is common, however, to speak of the arms themselves as the transepts
transverse arm of a cruciform, or cross-shaped, church, usually of north/south axis, crossing the east/west axis of the nave and chancel
Noun (Plural: Transepts) The wings of a standard (cross) shaped church In such transepts, side altars, and graves effigies would often be placed
If you were to look at the Sanctuary from above, you would notice that the pews are arranged in a shape like a cross The pews in the horizontal arms, or "transept" of the cross are called (appropriately) the transepts The pews on the east arm of the cross shape are called the "East Transept" and the pews on the west arm of the cross shape are called the "West Transept "
In a cruciform church, the 'arms of the cross' The section of the church projecting to the north and south which separates the choir or apse from the nave