# transformation

/ˌtɹænsfɝˈmeɪʃən/ (US) · /tɹænsfɔːmˈeɪʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/transformation
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. a major change

noun · CEFR B2

a complete change in the appearance or character of something.

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

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

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

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

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

- The teacher explained how a geometric transformation can flip or rotate a shape.
- Linear transformations are fundamental to understanding how vectors behave when moving from one coordinate system to another.

### 3. linguistics

noun · CEFR C2 · Academic · Technical

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

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

- In grammar class, we learned about the transformation of active sentences into passive ones.
- Generative grammar relies on specific transformations to explain how deep structures are converted into the surface structures of spoken language.

### 4. biology

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

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

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

- Scientists used bacterial transformation to create medicine in the lab.
- The successful transformation of the bacteria allowed the researchers to introduce a gene that provides resistance to specific antibiotics.

### 5. South African politics

noun · CEFR C1 · Dialect

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

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

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

## Examples

- The old factory underwent a transformation into a modern art gallery.
- The city's digital transformation has made it much easier for citizens to access government services online.
- The protagonist's psychological transformation throughout the novel is mirrored by the changing seasons, moving from a cold isolation to a vibrant, renewed sense of purpose.

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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.