conformation

noun

con·for·ma·tion | \ ˌkän-(ˌ)fȯr-ˈmā-shən

, -fər-\

Definition of conformation

1 : the act of conforming or producing conformity : adaptation

2 : formation of something by appropriate arrangement of parts or elements : an assembling into a whole the gradual conformation of the embryo

3a : correspondence especially to a model or plan

b : structure

c : the shape or proportionate dimensions especially of an animal

d : any of the spatial arrangements of a molecule that can be obtained by rotation of the atoms about a single bond

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Examples of conformation in a Sentence

The dogs will be judged on conformation tomorrow. an ice sculpture in the conformation of a swan

Recent Examples on the Web

While pedigreed dogs will go head-to-head in events including an AKC conformation competition, family dogs will contend in activities such as Frisbee and canine musical freestyle. — Marcy De Luna, Houston Chronicle, "'Game of Thrones'-themed dog? Outlandish grooming featured at Houston World Series of Dog Shows," 17 June 2019 For most membrane channels, scientists have been limited to studying the structure in one conformation — open or closed. — Quanta Magazine, "Scientists Reveal Structure of Pain Sensor," 20 Feb. 2014 Another naval conformation may be ahead on the horizon, as the U.S. is considering sending a warship through the Taiwan Strait, Reuters reported Tuesday. — Travis Fedschun, Fox News, "China slams US after B-52 bomber flyby in South China Sea, calls move ‘risky’," 6 June 2018 Otitis external is also complicated by predisposing factors like conformation (narrow canal, long ears), environmental factors (high humidity, excessive cleaning), and other diseases that affect the skin. — Patty Khuly, miamiherald, "Dogs, cats often suffer common inflammatory ear condition | Miami Herald," 19 Apr. 2018 Along with the idea of genetic purity came the idea of conformational purity: that dogs could be bred to have an ideal conformation. — Kat Eschner, Smithsonian, "The Evolution of Petface," 1 Feb. 2018 In too many cases, however, C-sections happen because the pets in question possess an exaggerated cranial conformation that makes the birth canal a no-go. — Patty Khuly, miamiherald, "Why breed dogs, cats that usually need C-sections to give birth? | Miami Herald," 1 Mar. 2018 Some of these issues are related to conformation, or body shape; others are linked to inbreeding. — Kat Eschner, Smithsonian, "The Evolution of Petface," 1 Feb. 2018 This is just one example of how extreme breed conformation can affect dog welfare and increase the reliance of brachycephalic dogs on human intervention. — Kat Eschner, Smithsonian, "The Evolution of Petface," 1 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'conformation.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.