transform

verb

trans·form | \ tran(t)s-ˈfȯrm

transformed; transforming; transforms

Definition of transform

(Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

1a : to change in composition or structure

b : to change the outward form or appearance of

c : to change in character or condition : convert

2 : to subject to mathematical transformation

3 : to cause (a cell) to undergo genetic transformation

intransitive verb

: to become transformed : change

transform

noun

trans·form | \ ˈtran(t)s-ˌfȯrm

Definition of transform (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : a mathematical element obtained from another by transformation

2 : transformation sense 3a(1)

3 : a linguistic structure (such as a sentence) produced by means of a transformation "the duckling is killed by the farmer" is a transform of "the farmer kills the duckling"

Other Words from transform Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about transform

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Choose the Right Synonym for transform

Verb

transform, metamorphose, transmute, convert, transmogrify, transfigure mean to change a thing into a different thing. transform implies a major change in form, nature, or function. transformed a small company into a corporate giant metamorphose suggests an abrupt or startling change induced by or as if by magic or a supernatural power. awkward girls metamorphosed into graceful ballerinas transmute implies transforming into a higher element or thing. attempted to transmute lead into gold convert implies a change fitting something for a new or different use or function. converted the study into a nursery transmogrify suggests a strange or preposterous metamorphosis. a story in which a frog is transmogrified into a prince transfigure implies a change that exalts or glorifies. joy transfigured her face

Examples of transform in a Sentence

Verb

A little creativity can transform an ordinary meal into a special event. The old factory has been transformed into an art gallery.

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

For three weeks this summer, those suburban millennials climbed onto the witness stand at his federal trial and offered an unprecedented window into how fentanyl bought and sold online has transformed the global drug trade. — Washington Post, "The rise and fall of an Eagle Scout’s deadly fentanyl empire," 15 Sep. 2019 For three weeks this summer, those suburban millennials climbed onto the witness stand at his federal trial and offered an unprecedented window into how fentanyl bought and sold online has transformed the global drug trade. — Claire Galofaro And Lindsay Whitehurst, chicagotribune.com, "The rise and fall of an Eagle Scout’s deadly multimillion-dollar fentanyl trafficking empire," 14 Sep. 2019 The episode is an example of how Trump can transform a fleeting mistake into a potentially more damaging scandal in an attempt to shield himself from even minor embarrassment. — Los Angeles Times, "Trump and the hurricane: How much damage did he do?," 13 Sep. 2019 Rice’s loss all those years ago has transformed into the Longhorns’ gain. — Nick Moyle, ExpressNews.com, "Texas’ Tom Herman and Yancy McKnight back in familiar territory at Rice," 13 Sep. 2019 The decline in the cost of solar and wind power over the past decade has transformed the energy industry. — Andrew Blum, Time, "The Tech Innovations We Need to Happen if We're Going to Survive Climate Change," 12 Sep. 2019 Over the past few decades those trends have transformed airliners and cars, which have become networks of computers with wings or wheels. — The Economist, "Drastic falls in cost are powering another computer revolution," 12 Sep. 2019 Find out how the Parscale Effect can transform your business. — Peter Elkind, ProPublica, "The Myths of the “Genius” Behind Trump’s Reelection Campaign," 11 Sep. 2019 Learn how food waste can be transformed into fuel and fertilizer, and then back into food during a workshop. — National Geographic, "Engineering and Robotics on the MIT Campus," 10 Sep. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

This easy weeknight meal transforms leftover shredded chicken into a spicy meal in about 15 minutes. — ExpressNews.com, "Tuesday Recipe: Chicken Tinga Tacos," 28 Aug. 2019 Spruill says the aquarium can’t stay silent as the pace of global warming transforms oceans. — Jon Chesto, BostonGlobe.com, "New England Aquarium takes a more active role in climate-change fight," 8 July 2019 Chocolate and pumpkin transform ice cream sandwiches from a summertime sweet to a Halloween (trick or) treat! — The Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen, Good Housekeeping, "Chocolate and Pumpkin Ice Cream Sandwiches," 1 Aug. 2019 The hoisin-mint marinade recipe that follows transforms fast-cooking pork tenderloin and chicken pieces. — Jeanmarie Brownson, Twin Cities, "Refresh your summer cooking with versatile mint for grilled meats, salads and tea," 18 July 2019 Wavelet transforms are now used everywhere from JPEG 2000 compression to the processing of the gravitational-wave signals detected by LIGO from the collisions of black holes. — Quanta Magazine, "Yves Meyer, Wavelet Expert, Wins Abel Prize," 21 Mar. 2017 Your high energy and positive attitude transform nearly any situation. — BostonGlobe.com, "Horoscope," 10 June 2019 The 16-year old transforms into a superhero for his latest starring role as Billy Batson in the DC Extended Universe film Shazam! — Jasmine Gomez, Seventeen, "Everything You Need to Know About "Shazam!" Star Asher Angel," 15 Apr. 2019 To put it in perspective, a typical Fourier transform of a million pixel image will take about six million operations. — Chris Lee, Ars Technica, "A few Wi-Fi transmitters and your house becomes a coprocessor," 30 Apr. 2018

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