conformation

[ kon-fawr-mey-shuhn ]

noun

1. manner of formation; structure; form, as of a physical entity.

   Synonyms: shape, configuration

2. symmetrical disposition or arrangement of parts.
3. the act or process of conforming; adaptation; adjustment.
4. the state of being conformed.
5. Chemistry. an atomic spatial arrangement that results from rotation of carbon atoms about single bonds within an organic molecule. ( configuration ).

conformation

/ ˌkɒnfɔːˈmeɪʃən /

noun

1. the general shape or outline of an object; configuration
2. the arrangement of the parts of an object
3. the act or state of conforming
4. chem
   1. another name for configuration
   2. one of the configurations of a molecule that can easily change its shape and can consequently exist in equilibrium with molecules of different configuration

Derived Forms

• ˌconforˈmational, adjective

Other Words From

• confor·mation·al adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of conformation¹

1505–15; < Latin confōrmātiōn- (stem of confōrmātiō ), equivalent to confōrmāt ( us ) past participle of confōrmāre to shape ( con- con- + fōrm ( a ) form + -āt ( us ) -ate ¹ ) + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

This information can be used to determine the molecule's shape, or conformation.

From Science Daily

The researchers used a quantum algorithm to first model the lowest energy conformation for the fragment's backbone, which is typically the most computationally demanding step of the calculation.

From Science Daily

"By using multiscale modeling we observed that the protein can exist in multiple conformations but only one of them can effectively bind the sugar proxy," Baer said.

From Science Daily

The process of becoming a show dog begins when breeders determine which puppies are physically and temperamentally suited for what’s known as “conformation” competition.

From Seattle Times

Intrinsically disordered proteins naturally change their 3-D conformation to interact with different proteins, nucleic acids or other molecules.

From Science Daily