conjugate

adjective

con·​ju·​gate ˈkän-ji-gət  -jə-ˌgāt 

1

a

: joined together especially in pairs : coupled

a conjugate relationship

b

: acting or operating as if joined

2

a

: having features in common but opposite or inverse in some particular

b

: relating to or being conjugate complex numbers

complex roots occurring in conjugate pairs

3

of an acid or base : related by the difference of a proton

The acid NH₄⁺ and the base NH₃ are conjugate to each other.

4

: having the same derivation and therefore usually some likeness in meaning

conjugate words

5

of two leaves of a book : forming a single piece

conjugately adverb

conjugateness noun

Examples of conjugate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Data from one antibody drug conjugate from Merck and partner Kelun is also being presented this weekend at the ASCO meeting. —Angelica Peebles, CNBC, 31 May 2026

Since then, the Department of Health has started the rulemaking process of repealing requirements for Hepatitis B, varicella (chicken pox), Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib) and pneumococcal conjugate vaccines for public school attendance. —Cbs Miami Team, CBS News, 28 Apr. 2026

The Department of Health has started the rulemaking process of repealing requirements for Hepatitis B, varicella (chicken pox), Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib) and pneumococcal conjugate vaccines for public school attendance. —Ana Goñi-Lessan, Sun Sentinel, 24 Feb. 2026

This shipment carried over 500,000 doses of pneumococcal 13-valent conjugate vaccines (PCVs), for use in Côte d'Ivoire’s routine childhood immunization program. —Sarah Ferguson, Forbes.com, 5 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English conjugat, from Latin conjugatus, past participle of conjugare to unite, from com- + jugare to join, from jugum yoke — more at yoke

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing conjugate

• conjugate complex number

Rhymes for conjugate

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate
• angulate

Kids Definition

conjugate

1 of 2 adjective

con·​ju·​gate ˈkän-ji-gət 

-jə-ˌgāt

: joined together especially in pairs : coupled

conjugate

2 of 2 verb

con·​ju·​gate ˈkän-jə-ˌgāt 

conjugated; conjugating

1

: to give the various forms of a verb in order

2

: to join together

3

: to pair and unite in conjugation

Medical Definition

conjugate

1 of 3 adjective

con·​ju·​gate ˈkän-ji-gət, -jə-ˌgāt 

1

: functioning or operating simultaneously as if joined

conjugate eye movements

2

of an acid or base : related by the difference of a proton

the acid NH₄⁺ and the base NH₃ are conjugate to each other

conjugately adverb

conjugate

2 of 3 verb

con·​ju·​gate -jə-ˌgāt 

conjugated; conjugating

transitive verb

: to unite (as with the elimination of water) so that the product is easily broken down (as by hydrolysis) into the original compounds

benzoic acid is conjugated with glycine to hippuric acid in the body

intransitive verb

1

: to pair and fuse in conjugation

2

: to pair in synapsis

conjugate

3 of 3 noun

-ji-gət, -jə-ˌgāt 

: a chemical compound formed by the union of two compounds or united with another compound