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 Phrases Containing conjugate Learn More About conjugate

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 The two most popular styles of training in powerlifting are conjugate and linear. — Roger Lockridge, Men's Health, 26 Apr. 2022 There are two meningococcal vaccines: meningococcal conjugate vaccines (MenACWY) and serogroup B meningococcal vaccines (MenB). — Patia Braithwaite, SELF, 26 Aug. 2019 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Gambling was a hard no and celibacy was expected, except for married couples who were permitted to conjugate for purposes of procreation — but only after chanting for five hours. — Ashley Stimpson, Longreads, 19 Feb. 2022 The examples that conjugate that three abound, but a couple spring to mind. — Hec Paris Insights, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2021 With nouns that are masculine, feminine and neutral, verbs that conjugate heavily and an extremely strict syntax, German may appear insurmountable to start with. — John Malathronas, CNN, 21 Apr. 2021 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, 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, 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, 23 Mar. 2017 For many, decoding Trump is like conjugating irregular verbs in Latin. — William D. Cohan, The Hive, 16 May 2017 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun There are two vaccines available for meningococcal disease in the U.S.: the meningococcal conjugate (MenACWY) vaccine, and the serogroup B meningococcal (MenB) vaccine. — Korin Miller, Health.com, 11 Apr. 2022 Simmons especially latched on to a Soviet method that became known as conjugate training, a regimen based on rotating variations of the primary competition lifts, to build strength and to stave off stasis. — Lauren Michele Jackson, The New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2022 Haemophilus influenzae type b, pneumococcal conjugate, and Hepatitis B. — Tommy Beer, Forbes, 23 Sep. 2021 Starting in the 2021-22 school year, all students entering grades 7, 8, 11, and 12 will need a meningococcal conjugate vaccine as well. — BostonGlobe.com, 6 Aug. 2021 Already before the pandemic, the school required vaccines — such as the tetanus shot and the meningococcal conjugate vaccine — that the other BYU campuses don’t. — Courtney Tanner, The Salt Lake Tribune, 10 July 2021 The other, the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, protects against 13 types (PCV-13 or Prevnar). — Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 10 May 2021 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, 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, 12 Feb. 2021 See More

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.

First Known Use of conjugate

Adjective

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

Verb

1530, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

circa 1586, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Learn More About conjugate

Dictionary Entries Near conjugate

conjugant

conjugate

conjugate alphabet

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Cite this Entry

“Conjugate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conjugate. Accessed 12 Aug. 2022.

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More Definitions for conjugate

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