a complete change in the appearance or character of something or someone, especially so that they are improved
“Our education system needs to undergo a dramatic transformation” Professor Robinson declared.
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
transformation
trans‧for‧ma‧tion AC /ˌtrænsfəˈmeɪʃən $ -fər-/ BrE AmE noun [uncountable and countable]
[Word Family: noun: ↑form, ↑formation, ↑transformation, ↑reformer, ↑reform, ↑reformation, ↑reformist, ↑transformer, ↑formlessness; verb: ↑form, ↑reform, ↑transform; adjective: reformed, ↑reformist, ↑formless; adverb: ↑formlessly]
[Word Family: verb: ↑transform; noun: ↑transformation]
a complete change in someone or something:
In recent years, the movie industry has undergone a dramatic transformation.
transformation from something to/into something
the gradual transformation from woodland to farmland
transformation of
What leads to the transformation of one economic system to another?
• • •
THESAURUS
■ a great change
▪ transformation noun [uncountable and countable] a change in which something or someone becomes completely different: There has been a complete transformation in his attitude since he became a father. | her transformation from shy local girl to famous movie actress
▪ revolution noun [countable] a complete change in ways of thinking or working: The 1970s saw the beginnings of a new technological revolution. | Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity started a revolution in scientific thinking.
▪ shake-up noun [countable] a situation in which a lot of changes are very quickly made in a system or organization in order to make it more effective: The department has not performed well and is badly in need of a shake-up. | The Administration is planning a thorough shake-up of the welfare system.
▪ U-turn noun [countable] a complete change in the plans of a government or political party so that it decides to do the opposite of what it originally said it would do: The government was forced to do a U-turn after angry protests about their taxation policy.
Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary
transformation
trans·form·ation AW [transformation transformations] [ˌtrænsfəˈmeɪʃn] [ˌtrænsfərˈmeɪʃn] noun
1. countable, uncountable a complete change in sb/sth
• The way in which we work has undergone a complete transformation in the past decade.
• What a transformation! You look great.
• ~ (from sth) (to/into sth) the country's transformation from dictatorship to democracy
2. uncountable used in South Africa to describe the process of making institutions and organizations more democratic
• a lack of transformation in the private sector
Derived Word: transformational
Word Origin:
late Middle English: from Old French, or from late Latin transformatio(n-), from the verb transformare (see trans-, form).
Example Bank:
• Going to college brought about a dramatic transformation in her outlook.
• He was struggling to make the transformation from single man to responsible husband.
• Japan's transformation into an economic superpower
• Russia's transformation to a market economy
• The transformation from disused docks into city-centre cultural venue took three years.
• The way we work has undergone a radical transformation in the past decade.
• This decision marked a fundamental transformation in policy.
• The country's transformation from dictatorship to democracy has been peaceful.
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
transformation / ˌtræns.fəˈmeɪ.ʃ ə n / / -fɚ- / noun [ C or U ]
C1 a complete change in the appearance or character of something or someone, especially so that they are improved:
Local people have mixed feelings about the planned transformation of their town into a regional capital.
I'd never seen Carlo in smart evening clothes before - it was quite a transformation.
Collins Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary
• trans‧for‧ma‧tion
In the last five years he’s undergone a personal transformation.
N-VAR: usu with supp
Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary
transformation
trans·for·ma·tion /ˌtrænsfɚˈmeɪʃən/ noun, pl -tions : a complete or major change in someone's or something's appearance, form, etc.
[count]
• His appearance has undergone a complete transformation. [=his appearance has changed completely]
• The building underwent various transformations over the years.
• the character's inner transformation
[noncount]
• an agent of transformation