transformation

American  

[trans-fer-may-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

As for stocks on his radar, Dalio urged investors to watch out for companies poised for transformation by AI, for example through increased sales or reduced costs.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 10, 2026

This process mirrors a cellular transformation that has recently been identified as occurring naturally in the brain during human aging.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 7, 2026

Mattel’s valuation is strikingly low, analysts said, considering the transformation of the business over the past several years and the potential equity of brands such as Barbie and Hot Wheels.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 5, 2026

In Germany, the digital transformation also faces scepticism from the train drivers' union GDL.

From Barron's ● Oct. 2, 2026

No one in her family, however, noticed the transformation in her, and she was not able to resist the power of their habitual expectations.

From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan

My hairdresser loved the idea of using them to record her clients' hair transformations.

From BBC ● Sep. 24, 2026

Scientists could perform some of those transformations using chemical reactions and laboratory solvents.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 13, 2026

The Lorena Street Elementary student who once haunted the stacks has also undergone big transformations — the former high school dropout now has an MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 9, 2026

Yet the U.S. still lacks a comprehensive strategy that would prepare its students and institutions for the transformations AI will bring.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 4, 2026

This great transformation has escaped proper attention because it does not have a label, and it does not have a label primarily because it is three transformations rolled into one.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

Related Words

• conversion
• metamorphosis
• renewal
• revolution
• shift