conformation

American  

[kon-fawr-mey-shuhn] / ˌkɒn fɔrˈmeɪ ʃən /

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 British  

/ 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

---

Other Word Forms

• conformational adjective

Etymology

Origin of conformation

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

The protein adopts one conformation outside a condensate and a different one inside it.

From Science Daily • Feb. 26, 2026

Some fans have received conformation of their success in the ticket ballot, with fans taking to TikTok to share their joy.

From BBC • Feb. 10, 2026

Their multi-scale suction mechanism is an organic combination of mechanical conformation and regulated water seal.

From Science Daily • Apr. 18, 2024

Multi-layer soft materials first generate a rough mechanical conformation to the substrate, reducing leaking apertures to just micrometres.

From Science Daily • Apr. 18, 2024

In a rose garden, a rose is a rose because of geraniol, a 10-carbon compound, and it is the geometric conformation of atoms and their bond angles that determine the unique fragrance.

From "The Lives of a Cell" by Lewis Thomas