transformation

American  

[trans-fer-mey-shuhn] / ˌtræns fərˈmeɪ ʃən /

noun

• transformations
  plural

1. the act or process of transforming.

2. the state of being transformed.

3. change in form, appearance, nature, or character.

4. Theater. a seemingly miraculous change in the appearance of scenery or actors in view of the audience.

5. Also called transform.  Logic. one of a set of algebraic formulas used to express the relations between elements, sets, etc., that form parts of a given system.

6. Mathematics.

   1. the act, process, or result of transforming or mapping.

   2. function.

7. Linguistics.

   1. transformational rule.

   2. the process by which deep structures are converted into surface structures using transformational rules.

8. Genetics. the transfer of genetic material from one cell to another resulting in a genetic change in the recipient cell.

9. a wig or hairpiece for a woman.

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transformation British  

/ ˌtrænsfəˈmeɪʃən /

noun

1. a change or alteration, esp a radical one

2. the act of transforming or the state of being transformed

3. maths

   1. a change in position or direction of the reference axes in a coordinate system without an alteration in their relative angle

   2. an equivalent change in an expression or equation resulting from the substitution of one set of variables by another

4. physics a change in an atomic nucleus to a different nuclide as the result of the emission of either an alpha-particle or a beta-particle Compare transition

5. linguistics another word for transformational rule

6. an apparently miraculous change in the appearance of a stage set

7. (in South Africa) a national strategy aimed at attaining national unity, promoting reconciliation through negotiated settlement and non-racism

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transformation Scientific  

/ trăns′fər-mā′shən /

1. The genetic alteration of a bacteria cell by the introduction of DNA from another cell or from a virus. Plasmids, which contain extrachromosomal DNA, are used to transform bacteria in recombinant DNA research.

2. The change undergone by an animal cell upon infection by a cancer-causing virus.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nontransformation
  noun
• retransformation
  noun
• self-transformation
  noun
• transformational
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• transformations
  plural

Etymology

Origin of transformation

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Late Latin trānsfōrmātiōn-, stem of trānsfōrmātiō “change of shape”; equivalent to trans- + formation

Explanation

A transformation is a dramatic change in form or appearance. An important event like getting your driver’s license, going to college, or getting married can cause a transformation in your life. A transformation is an extreme, radical change. A simple haircut won't cause a transformation in your appearance, but if you dyed your hair purple and got a tattoo across your forehead, that would be another story. When a transformation occurs, we often use the phrase "undergo a transformation" in reference to the person or thing who has changed. So, if you do opt for the new hair color and tattoo, you will certainly have "undergone a transformation."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

transformation transformations

"Autonomous driving is a key technology for the future of mobility and for the transformation of our automotive industry," he said.

From Barron's ● Aug. 25, 2026

The exhibition, named Nature and Us, is part of a transformation project called NHM150, which aims to open a new or revamped showcase every year until the museum's 150th anniversary in 2031.

From BBC ● Aug. 22, 2026

The team from Science Tokyo, Tohoku University, and Nagoya Institute of Technology combined ultrafast laser spectroscopy with theoretical calculations to uncover a previously unknown intermediate electronic state that helps drive the transformation.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 21, 2026

Moderna’s breakthrough highlights a broader transformation, as AI accelerates the clinical development of therapies at a pace that would have seemed unimaginable a few years ago.

From Barron's ● Aug. 21, 2026

Maybe her transformation was merely a temporary shift in my perspective—for that moment, perhaps the perspective was his, that of the brother I hated, and loved.

From "Educated" by Tara Westover

By exposing the previously invisible steps that occur during ultrafast transformations, scientists may move closer to designing materials whose properties can be deliberately and efficiently controlled with light.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 21, 2026

But the transformations wrought by Gaudí and his collaborators are a triumph of architectural and sculptural imagination that has no real analogue.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026

On social media, #Ozempic generated hundreds of millions of views as influencers and everyday users posted about their physical transformations.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 5, 2026

He has pledged "social transformations that the country urgently cries out for" while promising to "take stock" of the peace strategy and "make the necessary changes".

From BBC ● Jun. 20, 2026

At first he used electronic techniques to make incremental transformations to a pattern, later having live players and acoustic instruments imitate this effect under his very specific and detailed configuration.

From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall

Related Words

• conversion
• metamorphosis
• renewal
• revolution
• shift