conformation

American  

[kon-fawr-mey-shuhn] / ˌkɒn fɔrˈmeɪ ʃən /

noun

1. manner of formation; structure; form, as of a physical entity.

   Synonyms:

   shape, configuration

2. symmetrical disposition or arrangement of parts.

3. the act or process of conforming; adaptation; adjustment.

4. the state of being conformed.

5. Chemistry. an atomic spatial arrangement that results from rotation of carbon atoms about single bonds within an organic molecule. (configuration ).

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conformation British  

/ ˌkɒnfɔːˈmeɪʃən /

noun

1. the general shape or outline of an object; configuration

2. the arrangement of the parts of an object

3. the act or state of conforming

4. chem

   1. another name for configuration

   2. one of the configurations of a molecule that can easily change its shape and can consequently exist in equilibrium with molecules of different configuration

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Other Word Forms

• conformational adjective

Etymology

Origin of conformation

1505–15; < Latin confōrmātiōn- (stem of confōrmātiō ), equivalent to confōrmāt ( us ) past participle of confōrmāre to shape ( con- con- + fōrm ( a ) form + -āt ( us ) -ate ¹ ) + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

"It is clear that both of these Sgls bind to MurJ in an outward-facing conformation, locking it into this position," Li says.

From Science Daily • Feb. 28, 2026

Li determined the structure of SglCJ3 bound to MurJ and found that it also locks the protein in the same outward-facing conformation.

From Science Daily • Feb. 28, 2026

Some fans have received conformation of their success in the ticket ballot, with fans taking to TikTok to share their joy.

From BBC • Feb. 10, 2026

This information can be used to determine the molecule's shape, or conformation.

From Science Daily • May 30, 2024

At least with our level of chemical intuition, there was unlikely to be any single conformation much prettier than the rest.

From "Double Helix" by James D. Watson