# conversion /kənˈvɝʒən/ (US) · /kənvˈɜːʃən/ (UK) Source: https://englishreference.com/word/conversion Updated: 2026-06-19 ## Senses ### 1. general change noun · CEFR B2 the act of changing something from one form or use to another. For teachers: the process of changing or causing something to change from one form, function, or state to another. - The conversion of the old factory into luxury apartments took nearly two years. - The rapid conversion of kinetic energy into heat during the braking process can cause the mechanical components to fail if not properly ventilated. ### 2. religious or belief change noun · CEFR B2 a change in your religion or your core beliefs. For teachers: the adoption of a new religion or belief system, often involving a formal process or public declaration. - His conversion to Buddhism happened after he spent a summer traveling through Asia. - The historian examined the mass conversion of the local population following the arrival of the missionaries in the seventeenth century. ### 3. units or currency noun · CEFR B1 changing a value from one system of measurement to another. For teachers: the process of calculating the equivalent value of a sum or measurement in a different system. - The online tool makes the conversion from miles to kilometers very easy. - Fluctuations in the exchange rate meant that the conversion of the company's overseas profits resulted in a significant loss on the balance sheet. ### 4. digital marketing noun · CEFR C1 · Technical when a person sees an online ad and then does what the advertiser wants, like buying a product. For teachers: a marketing metric representing a user completing a desired action, such as a purchase or a newsletter sign-up. - The new website design led to a huge increase in sales conversions. - The marketing team analyzed the conversion rate of the email campaign to determine which subject lines resonated most with the target demographic. Usage: Often used in the compound 'conversion rate'. ### 5. legal theft noun · CEFR C2 · Formal · Technical taking someone else's property and treating it as your own. For teachers: the civil wrong of intentionally taking or using someone else's personal property without permission. - The company was sued for conversion after they refused to return the leased equipment. - The plaintiff alleged conversion, claiming the defendant had sold the disputed assets despite knowing they were subject to a lien. ### 6. linguistics noun · CEFR C1 · Academic · Technical creating a new word by using an existing word as a different part of speech. For teachers: a word-formation process where a word changes its grammatical category without any change to its form. - The word 'email' started as a noun, but through conversion, we now use it as a verb. - Functional conversion is a common feature of English, allowing nouns like 'Google' to transition seamlessly into verbs in everyday discourse. ### 7. rugby or football score noun · CEFR B2 extra points scored by kicking the ball over the bar after a goal or try. For teachers: a successful kick at a goal after a try in rugby or a touchdown in American football. - The kicker missed the conversion, so the team only got five points instead of seven. - After scoring a dramatic try in the final minute, the captain stepped up to take the conversion that would win the match. ### 8. hobby modeling noun · CEFR C1 · Slang · Informal changing a toy or model figure to look like a different character. For teachers: the modification of a miniature figure by swapping parts or using sculpting materials to create a unique model. - He showed off his latest conversion, a robot made from three different model kits. - The hobbyist spent weeks on the conversion, carefully filing down the plastic joints to ensure the new limbs looked natural on the figure. ## Examples - The conversion of the old factory into apartments took two years. - The website offers a free tool for the conversion of miles into kilometers for international travelers. - The rapid conversion of natural grasslands into industrial farmland has significantly impacted local biodiversity, forcing many native species to migrate or face extinction. --- From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.