transformation

noun

trans·​for·​ma·​tion ˌtran(t)s-fər-ˈmā-shən 

-fȯr-

1

: an act, process, or instance of transforming or being transformed

2

: false hair worn especially by a woman to replace or supplement natural hair

3

a(1)

: the operation of changing (as by rotation or mapping) one configuration or expression into another in accordance with a mathematical rule

especially : a change of variables or coordinates in which a function of new variables or coordinates is substituted for each original variable or coordinate

(2)

: the formula that effects a transformation

b

: function sense 5a

c

: an operation that converts (as by insertion, deletion, or permutation) one grammatical string (such as a sentence) into another

also : a formal statement of such an operation

4

: genetic modification of a bacterium by incorporation of free DNA from another bacterial cell

also : genetic modification of a cell by the uptake and incorporation of exogenous DNA

Synonyms of transformation

• conversion
• transition
• metamorphosis

Examples of transformation in a Sentence

The building underwent various transformations over the years.

a raven-haired starlet who underwent an attention-getting transformation and showed up at the awards ceremony as a blonde

Recent Examples on the Web

Far-right activist Laura Loomer went from criticizing Ukraine to meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, a rapid transformation that came as a pleasant surprise to Europe and Ukraine’s backers. — Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 24 July 2026

The social media algorithm rewards rapid before-and-after transformations or bold statements without nuance, which can affect the way people expect things to happen for them, Aleksic said. — Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 24 July 2026

At the time, Fedorov served as the minister of digital transformation, a position that gave him no power to buy weapons on the state’s behalf. — Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 24 July 2026

That digital transformation became a key reason for shortening the corporate name from Schlumberger to SLB in 2022. — Jordan Blum, Fortune, 24 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing transformation

• linear transformation
• self-transformation
• topological transformation

Rhymes for transformation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

transformation

noun

trans·​for·​ma·​tion ˌtran(t)s-fər-ˈmā-shən 

-fȯr-

: an act, process, or example of transforming or being transformed

transformational

-shnəl, 

-shən-ᵊl

adjective

Medical Definition

transformation

noun

trans·​for·​ma·​tion ˌtran(t)s-fər-ˈmā-shən, -fȯr- 

1

: an act, process, or instance of transforming or being transformed see malignant transformation

2

a

: genetic modification of a bacterium by incorporation of free DNA from another ruptured bacterial cell compare transduction sense 2

b

: genetic modification of a cell by the uptake and incorporation of exogenous DNA