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

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

Previous structures from X-ray crystallization revealed that formins are made of two identical parts that encircle the actin filament in a ring-like conformation and step along it as it grows.

From Science Daily • Apr. 16, 2024

On the contrary, PCs become thin, orient themselves close to the flow axis and maintain a fixed, stretched and non-tumbling conformation under shear.

From Science Daily • Apr. 4, 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