conjugation

noun

con·​ju·​ga·​tion ˌkän-jə-ˈgā-shən How to pronounce conjugation (audio)
1
a
: a schematic arrangement of the inflectional forms of a verb
b
: verb inflection
c
: a class of verbs having the same type of inflectional forms
the weak conjugation
d
: a set of the simple or derivative inflectional forms of a verb especially in Sanskrit or the Semitic languages
the causative conjugation
2
: the act of conjugating : the state of being conjugated
3
a
: fusion of usually similar gametes with ultimate union of their nuclei and sexual reproduction that occurs in most fungi and in some algae (such as green algae)
b
: temporary cytoplasmic union with exchange of nuclear material that is the usual sexual process in ciliated protozoans
c
: the one-way transfer of DNA between bacteria in cellular contact
conjugational adjective
conjugationally adverb

Examples of conjugation in a Sentence

a lesson on French verb conjugation
Recent Examples on the Web More frequently than is the case on human blind dates, conjugation follows. Mark Caldwell, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019 So seductive is this prospect that bacteria pursue conjugation energetically, often in large groups. Mark Caldwell, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019 Driven by their plasmids, bacteria go in for several variations of conjugation, as bacteriologists demurely call the act. Mark Caldwell, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019 Most first-generation Latinos have stories of being shamed for a mispronounced word or poor conjugation. Angel Rodriguez, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2023 This includes noun genders, conjugations, and past, present and future tenses. The Salt Lake Tribune, 1 Aug. 2023 While apps like Duolingo are known for hammering in vocabulary through simple flashcard-type quizzes, Rosetta Stone progresses to verbs and conjugation through more complex learning models. Anna Tingley, Variety, 5 June 2023 But Spanish speakers from four centuries ago might have recognized the unusual verb conjugations — if not the unorthodox pronunciations and words drawn from English and languages indigenous to North America. Simon Romero Desiree Rios, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2023 One poem contains a note on Spanish verb conjugation, another features an explanation of stereotypic behavior in captive animals, a third includes a pocket history of the 1918 influenza pandemic. New York Times, 7 Dec. 2021

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

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of conjugation was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near conjugation

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

conjugation

noun
con·​ju·​ga·​tion ˌkän-jə-ˈgā-shən How to pronounce conjugation (audio)
1
: the act of conjugating : the state of being conjugated
2
: a class of verbs having the same type of inflectional forms
3
a
: the union of sex cells that are usually of the same size and shape and that in most fungi and some algae serves as a simple form of sexual reproduction
b
: a method of reproduction in ciliated protozoans (as a paramecium) that involves the formation of a bridge of cytoplasm between two individuals, the exchange of material in their nuclei, and the division of each individual after they separate

Medical Definition

conjugation

noun
con·​ju·​ga·​tion ˌkän-jə-ˈgā-shən How to pronounce conjugation (audio)
1
: the act of conjugating : the state of being conjugated
2
a
: fusion of usually similar gametes with ultimate union of their nuclei that occurs in most fungi and in some algae (as green algae)
b
: temporary cytoplasmic union with exchange of nuclear material that is the usual sexual process in ciliated protozoans
c
: the one-way transfer of DNA between bacteria in cellular contact
conjugational adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on conjugation

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