transformation
noun
trans·for·ma·tion
ˌtran(t)s-fər-ˈmā-shən 
-fȯr-
1
: an act, process, or instance of transforming or being transformed
2
: false hair worn especially by a woman to replace or supplement natural hair
3
a(1)
: the operation of changing (as by rotation or mapping) one configuration or expression into another in accordance with a mathematical rule
especially
: a change of variables or coordinates in which a function of new variables or coordinates is substituted for each original variable or coordinate
(2)
: the formula that effects a transformation
c
: an operation that converts (as by insertion, deletion, or permutation) one grammatical string (such as a sentence) into another
also
: a formal statement of such an operation
4
: genetic modification of a bacterium by incorporation of free DNA from another bacterial cell
also
: genetic modification of a cell by the uptake and incorporation of exogenous DNA
Examples of transformation in a Sentence
The building underwent various transformations over the years.
a raven-haired starlet who underwent an attention-getting transformation and showed up at the awards ceremony as a blonde
Recent Examples on the Web
The spa is just one part of a $35 million transformation of the club formerly known as Morgan Run, since being purchased by Meriwether Companies in 2023.
—
Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Feb. 2026
In December 2023, Gruppo Calzedonia took on the Oniverse moniker, reflecting the transformation of the Italian company from an innerwear and hosiery specialist to an international and diversified group that now spans from luxury fashion and the label Antonio Marras to bridal, food and wine.
—Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 16 Feb. 2026
Last year was represented by the snake, a symbol of wisdom, intuition and transformation.
—Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 16 Feb. 2026
While the appearance of autonomous agency is new, the large-scale transformation of speech is not.
—Deb Roy, The Atlantic, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for transformation
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Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Feb. 2026
In December 2023, Gruppo Calzedonia took on the Oniverse moniker, reflecting the transformation of the Italian company from an innerwear and hosiery specialist to an international and diversified group that now spans from luxury fashion and the label Antonio Marras to bridal, food and wine.
—Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 16 Feb. 2026
Last year was represented by the snake, a symbol of wisdom, intuition and transformation.
—Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 16 Feb. 2026
While the appearance of autonomous agency is new, the large-scale transformation of speech is not.
—Deb Roy, The Atlantic, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for transformation
Cite this Entry
“Transformation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/transformation. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
transformation
noun
trans·for·ma·tion
ˌtran(t)s-fər-ˈmā-shən
-fȯr-
: an act, process, or example of transforming or being transformed
transformational
adjective
-shnəl,
-shən-ᵊl
Medical Definition
transformation
noun
trans·for·ma·tion
ˌtran(t)s-fər-ˈmā-shən, -fȯr-
1
: an act, process, or instance of transforming or being transformed see malignant transformation
2
a
: genetic modification of a bacterium by incorporation of free DNA from another ruptured bacterial cell compare transduction sense 2
b
: genetic modification of a cell by the uptake and incorporation of exogenous DNA
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