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. (contrasted with configuration).

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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

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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

Explanation

Conformation can mean following the rules, or fitting in. Competitions require conformation from competitors who must follow the rules of the game. You might note water's conformation to the shape of whatever container that holds it. Conformation has its base in the word conform, which means to follow the rules, or behave in such a way that you fit in, in a social or a spatial way (i.e. adjusting to something else's contours). Conformation should not be confused with confirmation, which means showing the truth or accuracy of something. The two words do have similar religious meanings though. Conformation refers to complying with the rules of a church, while confirmation means a person's full entry into the Christian belief.

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

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

From Science Daily • May 30, 2024

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 • May 29, 2024

About a year before that triumph, Bragg, Kendrew, and Perutz had published a systematic paper on the conformation of the polypeptide chain, an attack that missed the point.

From "Double Helix" by James D. Watson