transformation

trans·for·ma·tion | \ ˌtran(t)s-fər-ˈmā-shən

, -fȯr-\

Definition of transformation

1 : an act, process, or instance of transforming or being transformed

2 : false hair worn especially by a woman to replace or supplement natural hair

3a(1) : the operation of changing (as by rotation or mapping) one configuration or expression into another in accordance with a mathematical rule especially : a change of variables or coordinates in which a function of new variables or coordinates is substituted for each original variable or coordinate

(2) : the formula that effects a transformation

b : function sense 5a

c : an operation that converts (as by insertion, deletion, or permutation) one grammatical string (such as a sentence) into another also : a formal statement of such an operation

4 : genetic modification of a bacterium by incorporation of free DNA from another bacterial cell also : genetic modification of a cell by the uptake and incorporation of exogenous DNA

Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about transformation

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Examples of transformation in a Sentence

The building underwent various transformations over the years. a raven-haired starlet who underwent an attention-getting transformation and showed up at the awards ceremony as a blonde

Recent Examples on the Web Shoop and his boss, Bulldogs coach Joe Moorhead, played a roundabout role in that transformation. — Ross Dellenger, SI.com, "'Out of the Dark Ages': How LSU's Lethal New Spread Attack Was Built," 17 Sep. 2019 By the time today’s high schoolers turn 30, scientists say the world must achieve a ‘‘rapid and far-reaching’’ transformation of society to avoid warming’s most dire consequences. — BostonGlobe.com, "Meanwhile, the number of teenagers who say they’re being taught in school how to mitigate climate change appears to be on the decline. Fourteen percent say they have learned ‘‘a lot’’ about the subject, down from 25 percent in 2010, when the Yale Project on Climate Change asked a similar question.," 17 Sep. 2019 But a company with the innovation, boldness, and resources of Amazon should be at the forefront of driving this transformation of our economy that the climate crisis requires. — Lila Maclellan, Quartz at Work, "Even Jeff Bezos can’t afford to ignore his employees’ climate-change demands," 13 Sep. 2019 The Pioneer Press talked with Gibson, the lone holdover from Minnesota’s 66-win team in 2013, this week about playing for a winner, roster transformation and Gibson’s potential postseason debut. — Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, "‘It’s pretty special’: Twins’ elder statesman, pitcher Kyle Gibson, finally experiences division title chase," 13 Sep. 2019 This absorbing and excellent account of a young girl’s transformation due the power of education and grit is a terrific read for anyone. — Sara Clarkson, chicagotribune.com, "Clarkson: First-year college reading lists give a taste of campus discussions, thoughts," 12 Sep. 2019 Her motherhood was repetition and transformation at once. — Leslie Jamison, The New Republic, "The Remaking of Susan Sontag," 12 Sep. 2019 Their resurvey, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) in 2015, detailed a startling transformation. — Tim Appenzeller, Science | AAAS, "Global warming has made iconic Andean peak unrecognizable," 11 Sep. 2019 Many of the changes Zaidi expects to make this offseason are behind the scenes, but there are also high-profile transformations on the horizon for the Giants. — Kerry Crowley, The Mercury News, "San Francisco Giants fire eight pro scouts, brace for significant changes," 10 Sep. 2019

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