con·ju·gate
ˈkän-ji-gət 
-jə-ˌgāt
1
a
: joined together especially in pairs : coupled
a conjugate relationship
b
: acting or operating as if joined
2
a
: having features in common but opposite or inverse in some particular
b
: relating to or being conjugate complex numbers
complex roots occurring in conjugate pairs
3
of an acid or base
: related by the difference of a proton
The acid NH4+ and the base NH3 are conjugate to each other.
4
: having the same derivation and therefore usually some likeness in meaning
conjugate words
5
of two leaves of a book
: forming a single piece
conjugately
adverb
conjugateness
noun
con·ju·gate
ˈkän-jə-ˌgāt
conjugated; conjugating
1
: to give in prescribed order the various inflectional forms of
—used especially of a verb
2
: to join together
1
: to become joined together
2
a
: to pair and fuse in conjugation (see conjugation sense 3a)
b
: to pair in synapsis
con·ju·gate
ˈkän-ji-gət
-jə-ˌgāt
1
: something conjugate : a product of conjugating
3
: an element of a mathematical group that is equal to a given element of the group multiplied on the right by another element and on the left by the inverse of the latter element
Synonyms
Examples of conjugate in a Sentence
Verb
Can you conjugate the verb “to go”?
biological cells conjugating under a microscope
Recent Examples on the Web
Roger Lockridge, Men's Health, 26 Apr. 2022
There are two meningococcal vaccines: meningococcal conjugate vaccines (MenACWY) and serogroup B meningococcal vaccines (MenB).
—Patia Braithwaite, SELF, 26 Aug. 2019
Valerie Mesa, Peoplemag, 1 June 2024
The technique deposits conjugated polymers, plastics with good conductivity and semiconductor properties that are also flexible, stretchable, and even foldable.
—IEEE Spectrum, 28 Dec. 2010
Elaine Chen, STAT, 24 July 2024
Antibody-drug conjugates have become an important part of Astra’s cancer push, showing the promise to eventually replace conventional chemotherapy for some patients.
—TIME, 20 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for conjugate 
Adjective
The two most popular styles of training in powerlifting are conjugate and linear.
—Roger Lockridge, Men's Health, 26 Apr. 2022
There are two meningococcal vaccines: meningococcal conjugate vaccines (MenACWY) and serogroup B meningococcal vaccines (MenB).
—Patia Braithwaite, SELF, 26 Aug. 2019
Verb
This is especially true with the sun, Mercury, Venus and Jupiter all conjugating in your sign—the cosmic gang is on your side.
—Valerie Mesa, Peoplemag, 1 June 2024
The technique deposits conjugated polymers, plastics with good conductivity and semiconductor properties that are also flexible, stretchable, and even foldable.
—IEEE Spectrum, 28 Dec. 2010
Noun
At AstraZeneca, investors will once again be looking for strong results from its cancer business, along with meaningful updates on the research pipeline, most notably the antibody-drug conjugates partnered with Daiichi Sankyo.
—Elaine Chen, STAT, 24 July 2024
Antibody-drug conjugates have become an important part of Astra’s cancer push, showing the promise to eventually replace conventional chemotherapy for some patients.
—TIME, 20 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for conjugate
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'conjugate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near conjugate
Cite this Entry
“Conjugate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conjugate. Accessed 19 Aug. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
conjugate
1 of 2 adjective
con·ju·gate
ˈkän-ji-gət
-jə-ˌgāt
: joined together especially in pairs : coupled
conjugate
2 of 2 verb
con·ju·gate
ˈkän-jə-ˌgāt
conjugated; conjugating
1
: to give the various forms of a verb in order
2
: to join together
3
: to pair and unite in conjugation
Medical Definition
conjugate
1 of 3 adjective
con·ju·gate
ˈkän-ji-gət, -jə-ˌgāt
1
: functioning or operating simultaneously as if joined
conjugate eye movements
2
of an acid or base
: related by the difference of a proton
the acid NH4+ and the base NH3 are conjugate to each other
conjugately
adverb
conjugate
2 of 3 verb
con·ju·gate
-jə-ˌgāt
conjugated; conjugating
: to unite (as with the elimination of water) so that the product is easily broken down (as by hydrolysis) into the original compounds
benzoic acid is conjugated with glycine to hippuric acid in the body
conjugate
3 of 3 noun
: a chemical compound formed by the union of two compounds or united with another compound
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