conjugate

1 of 3

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

conjugate

2 of 3

verb

con·​ju·​gate ˈkän-jə-ˌgāt 

conjugated; conjugating

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

2

a

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

b

: to pair in synapsis

conjugate

3 of 3

noun

con·​ju·​gate ˈkän-ji-gət 

-jə-ˌgāt

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

Synonyms

Verb

• combine
• fuse

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

Verb

Both ghee and butter contain conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and butyrate. —Allison Herries, Verywell Health, 2 Apr. 2025

The app is jam-packed with other learning tools, too, like hands-free audio lessons, and quick grammar guides that explain how to conjugate verbs and use adjectives. —Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 29 Mar. 2025

Noun

Global coverage of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines, which protect against pneumonia and other bacterial infections, has increased, particularly in Southeast Asia. —Maryanne Murray Buechner, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025

Aadi Bioscience's current focus is on developing a portfolio of next-generation antibody-drug conjugates (ADC Therapies) licensed from WuXi Biologics, targeting cancer indications with significant unmet needs. —Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 28 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Verb

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

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

Phrases Containing conjugate

• conjugate complex number

Rhymes for conjugate

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

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