conformal

adjective

con·​for·​mal kən-ˈfȯr-məl How to pronounce conformal (audio)
(ˌ)kän-
1
: leaving the size of the angle between corresponding curves unchanged
conformal transformation
2
of a map : representing small areas in their true shape

Examples of conformal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web And so physicists have continued to study conformal field theories by looking at their associated modular forms. Jordana Cepelewicz, Quanta Magazine, 9 Mar. 2023 Conformal Cyclic Cosmology Another alternative is conformal cyclic cosmology, the controversial brainchild of Nobel Prize-winning physicist Roger Penrose, who was inspired by a striking similarity between the birth and predicted death of the universe. Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 14 Mar. 2023 In the case of AdS/CFT, the duality is between a model of spacetime known as anti-de Sitter space (AdS)—which has constant negative curvature, unlike our own de Sitter universe—and a quantum system called conformal field theory (CFT), which lacks gravity but has quantum entanglement. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 2 Dec. 2022 But some mathematicians may be treating me with instruments strictly intended for topological geometry; there’s no guarantee that a point is aware of the compass that draws it or the point set that starts from it, let alone the conformal transformations of the group that handles it inconsiderately. Claudio Magris, Harper's Magazine, 25 May 2021 Maldacena looked at the conformal field theory describing D-branes without gravity on the one hand and an AdS theory with one more dimension of space and including gravity on the other. Anil Ananthaswamy, Scientific American, 1 Mar. 2023 Jets with the non-conformal pins must have the component replaced at a depot—in most cases at the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex. Sébastien Roblin, Popular Mechanics, 1 Mar. 2023 The first is conformal field theory or CFT which describes particle physics on the smallest quantum scales. The Physics Arxiv Blog, Discover Magazine, 5 Dec. 2022 Strominger also believes that evidence of conformal symmetry might emerge from the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory, which spotted gravitational waves for the first time earlier this year. Steve Nadis, Discover Magazine, 13 June 2016

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'conformal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin conformalis having the same shape, from Latin com- + formalis formal, from forma

First Known Use

1893, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of conformal was in 1893

Dictionary Entries Near conformal

Cite this Entry

“Conformal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conformal. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

conformal

adjective
con·​for·​mal kən-ˈfȯr-məl How to pronounce conformal (audio)
(ˈ)kän-
: representing small areas in their true shape
a conformal map
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