ENGLISH
REFERENCE

transformation

n.
US //ˌtɹænsfɝˈmeɪʃən// UK //tɹænsfɔːmˈeɪʃən// trans·for·ma·tion
  1. 1 a major change (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a complete change in the appearance or character of something.

    a marked change in the form, nature, or appearance of something, typically resulting in an improvement.

    Example

    The old factory underwent a transformation and is now a beautiful art gallery.

    Example

    The city has seen a total transformation over the last decade, evolving from a decaying industrial hub into a vibrant centre for technology and tourism.
  2. 2 mathematics (n.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Math

    a process that changes one mathematical shape or expression into another.

    a mapping of one mathematical space onto another, or the replacement of variables in an algebraic expression.

    Example

    The teacher explained how a geometric transformation can flip or rotate a shape.

    Example

    Linear transformations are fundamental to understanding how vectors behave when moving from one coordinate system to another.
Show 3 more sensesShow fewer
  1. 3 linguistics (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Academic Technical Science

    a rule that changes the structure of a sentence into a different form.

    a rule that systematically converts one syntactic structure into another, such as changing an active sentence into a passive one.

    Example

    In grammar class, we learned about the transformation of active sentences into passive ones.

    Example

    Generative grammar relies on specific transformations to explain how deep structures are converted into the surface structures of spoken language.

  2. 4 biology (n.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Science

    a change in a cell caused by taking in DNA from outside.

    the genetic alteration of a cell resulting from the direct uptake and incorporation of exogenous genetic material from its surroundings.

    Example

    Scientists used bacterial transformation to create medicine in the lab.

    Example

    The successful transformation of the bacteria allowed the researchers to introduce a gene that provides resistance to specific antibiotics.

  3. 5 South African politics (n.)
    C1 Advanced Dialect

    the change from apartheid to a fair democracy for all races in South Africa.

    the socio-political transition from the apartheid era to a multiracial democracy in South Africa.

    Example

    The country is still working on economic transformation many years after the end of apartheid.

    Example

    Transformation remains a central pillar of government policy as the nation seeks to redress the systemic inequalities inherited from the past.

    Usage

    Often used with a capital 'T' in South African contexts.
Origin

Inherited from Middle English transformacioun, from Middle French, from Ecclesiastical Latin trānsfōrmātiō. Morphologically transform + -ation.

Word family

© 2026 English Reference