conjugate

adjective

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con·ju·gate | \ ˈkän-ji-gət

, -jə-ˌgāt \

Definition of conjugate

(Entry 1 of 3)

1a : joined together especially in pairs : coupled a conjugate relationship

b : acting or operating as if joined

2a : 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

conjugate

verb

con·ju·gate | \ ˈkän-jə-ˌgāt

conjugated; conjugating

Definition of conjugate (Entry 2 of 3)

transitive verb

1 : to give in prescribed order the various inflectional forms of —used especially of a verb

2 : to join together

intransitive verb

1 : to become joined together

2a : to pair and fuse in conjugation (see conjugation sense 3a)

b : to pair in synapsis

conjugate

noun

con·ju·gate | \ ˈkän-ji-gət

, -jə-ˌgāt \

Definition of conjugate (Entry 3 of 3)

1 : something conjugate : a product of conjugating

2 : conjugate complex number

3 : an element of a mathematical group that is equal to a given element of the group multiplied on the right by another element and on the left by the inverse of the latter element

Other Words from conjugate Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about conjugate

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Examples of conjugate in a Sentence

Verb Can you conjugate the verb “to go”? biological cells conjugating under a microscope

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective There are two meningococcal vaccines: meningococcal conjugate vaccines (MenACWY) and serogroup B meningococcal vaccines (MenB). — Patia Braithwaite, SELF, "Here Are All the Vaccines You Actually Need as an Adult," 26 Aug. 2019 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Authentic versions possess more nutrients than the alternative, particularly more vitamin A, D and K2, as well as five times the beneficial fatty acid CLA (conjugated linoleic acid). — Lucinda Scala Quinn, Washington Post, "How to put fancy, high-fat butter to its best use," 21 June 2019 One of the distinguishing fats is conjugated linoleic acid or CLA, which some regard as the clearest indicator of grass-feeding. — Peter Whoriskey, kansascity.com, "Why your milk may not be truly organic," 8 May 2017 Those mind-numbing exercises in high school—factoring polynomials, conjugating verbs, memorizing the periodic table—were possibly the opposite: mind-sensitizing. — Siddhartha Mukherjee, The New Yorker, "A.I. versus M.D.," 23 Mar. 2017 For many, decoding Trump is like conjugating irregular verbs in Latin. — William D. Cohan, The Hive, "Wall Street Is Sick of Trump’s Act," 16 May 2017 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Pfizer’s application for its latest pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, the backbone of its huge vaccine business, received priority review from the FDA for a potential approval for adults by June. — Nathan Vardi, Forbes, "Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla Helped Save The World. Can He Save His Company’s Stock?," 12 Mar. 2021 Similarly, to trigger more robust protection in the elderly, a shot of a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine is boosted by one that contains a pneumococcal polysaccharide. — Jon Cohen, Science | AAAS, "Should you mix and match COVID-19 vaccines? Scientists are seeking answers," 12 Feb. 2021 In September, Merck announced a $1.7 billion deal with Washington biotech Seattle Genetics, which is working with Merck to develop antibody-drug conjugate treatments against breast cancer and other tumor types. — Jonathan Wosen, San Diego Union-Tribune, "Merck expands search for new cancer drugs with plans to buy San Diego’s VelosBio for $2.75B," 5 Nov. 2020 Another possibility is a Novichok conjugate of serum albumin, the most abundant protein in blood. — Richard Stone, Science | AAAS, "How German military scientists likely identified the nerve agent used to attack Alexei Navalny," 8 Sep. 2020 Each person received either a single or double dose of the COVID-19 vaccine or a single-dose of a meningococcal conjugate vaccine as a control. — Kristen Jordan Shamus, Detroit Free Press, "AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine trials coming to University of Michigan," 1 Sep. 2020 Trodelvy is an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) that is directed to the protein TROP-2, which is found in approximately 90 percent of TNBC tumors and several other types of cancers. — Ryan Nickerson, Houston Chronicle, "Sisters Network spreads awareness of new TNBC treatment," 15 June 2020 The long knock on Seattle Genetics has been its reliance on Adcetris, an antibody-drug conjugate approved to treat two different types of lymphoma that is not quite a commercial blockbuster. — Adam Feuerstein, STAT, "Here are the nominees for best biopharma CEO of 2019. Vote for your favorite!," 16 Dec. 2019 Newer chemotherapy drugs called antibody-drug conjugates already use this technique, directing chemotherapy agents that are too strong to give intravenously precisely where they are needed. — Jacqueline Detwiler, Popular Mechanics, "Health," 1 Feb. 2020

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

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Dictionary Entries near conjugate

conjugate complex number

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Cite this Entry

“Conjugate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conjugate. Accessed 12 Apr. 2021.

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More Definitions for conjugate

conjugate

verb

English Language Learners Definition of conjugate

grammar : to list the different forms of a verb that show number, person, tense, etc.

See the full definition for conjugate in the English Language Learners Dictionary

conjugate

verb

con·ju·gate | \ ˈkän-jə-ˌgāt

conjugated; conjugating

Kids Definition of conjugate

: to give the various forms of a verb in order

conjugate

adjective

con·ju·gate | \ ˈkän-ji-gət, -jə-ˌgāt

Medical Definition of conjugate

(Entry 1 of 3)

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

conjugate

verb

con·ju·gate | \ -jə-ˌgāt

conjugated; conjugating

Medical Definition of conjugate (Entry 2 of 3)

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

noun

\ -ji-gət, -jə-ˌgāt

Medical Definition of conjugate (Entry 3 of 3)

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

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