transform

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verb trans·form \tran(t)s-ˈfȯrm\

Definition of transform

transitive verb
1a : to change in composition or structureb : to change the outward form or appearance ofc : 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

transformable

play \-ˈfȯr-mə-bəl\ adjective

transformative

play \-ˈfȯr-mə-tiv\ adjective

See transform defined for English-language learners

See transform defined for kids

Examples of transform in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of transform from the Web

For the Royals in 2017, this coast has transformed a season.

— rustin dodd, kansascity, "Salvador Perez's late homer lifts Royals to 9-6 victory over the Mariners", 6 July 2017
The July 5 shooting also transformed Muflahi’s store into a hub for protesters and a canvas for their grief and anger.

— michael kunzelman, The Seattle Times, "‘Nothing’s changed’: Police shooting hangs over neighborhood", 5 July 2017
Across Biscayne Bay, Miami Beach’s new-look convention center will transform into a baseball mecca for fans — serving as a stress test as the facility’s first large-scale event since construction began in earnest.

— adam h. beasley, miamiherald, "‘Baseball theme park’ to test readiness of Miami Beach’s $615M convention center", 5 July 2017
The discovery of oil in the mid-1960s, however, utterly transformed the region.

— star-telegram, "An Emirate Illuminated: from shimmering sand dunes to skyscrapers, everything blings in Dubai", 5 July 2017
The July 5 shooting also transformed Muflahi’s store into a hub for protesters and a canvas for their grief and anger.

— Washington Post, "Progress elusive in neighborhood rocked by police shooting", 4 July 2017
Porter is a woman who in 1882, mourning the loss of her 13-year-old son, Maurice, transformed her grief into a gift: the creation of an eight-bed cottage at Halsted Street and Belden Avenue for the free care and treatment of sick children.

— rick kogan, chicagotribune.com, "Dillinger Day remembers the date a Chicago alley became famous", 3 July 2017
With the help of pink lens sunglasses, the model instantly transformed into Legally Blonde's Elle Woods (sadly no chihuahua included, though).

— lauren alexis fisher, Harper's BAZAAR, "Gigi Hadid Morphed Into A Real Life Barbie Last Night", 28 June 2017
With nearly 40 bus stops, new buses, and sidewalk and other physical improvements, the new Dixie Highway project will also help transform the look along the highway, officials said.

— sheldon s. shafer, The Courier-Journal, "Slowly but surely work proceeding on Dixie Highway repaving", 27 June 2017

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.

Origin and Etymology of transform

Middle English, from Middle French transformer, from Latin transformare, from trans- + formare to form, from forma form

NEW!

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

Synonym Discussion of transform

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

transform

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noun trans·form \ˈtran(t)s-ˌfȯrm\

Definition of transform

1 : a mathematical element obtained from another by transformation
2 : transformation 3a(1), (2)
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”

First Known Use of transform

1853

TRANSFORM Defined for English Language Learners

transform

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verb

Definition of transform for English Language Learners

: to change (something) completely and usually in a good way

TRANSFORM Defined for Kids

transform

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verb trans·form \trans-ˈfȯrm\

Definition of transform for Students

transformed

;

transforming

: to change completely The pumpkin had been transformed into a gleaming coach … — Gail Carson Levine, Ella Enchanted

Medical Dictionary

transform

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verb trans·form \tran(t)s-ˈfȯ(ə)rm\

Medical Definition of transform

: to cause to change: asa: to change (a current) in potential (as from high voltage to low) or in type (as from alternating to direct)b: to cause (a cell) to undergo genetic transformation
intransitive verb

: to become transformed