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[v. kon-juh-geyt; adj., n. kon-juh-git, -geyt] /v. ˈkɒn dʒəˌgeɪt; adj., n. ˈkɒn dʒə gɪt, -ˌgeɪt/
verb (used with object), conjugated, conjugating.
  1. to inflect (a verb).
  2. to recite or display all or some subsets of the inflected forms of (a verb), in a fixed order: One conjugates the present tense of the verb “be” as “I am, you are, he is, we are, you are, they are.”.
to join together, especially in marriage.
verb (used without object), conjugated, conjugating.
Biology. to unite; to undergo conjugation.
Grammar. to be characterized by conjugation:
The Latin verb esse does not conjugate in the passive voice.
joined together, especially in a pair or pairs; coupled.
Botany. (of a pinnate leaf) having only one pair of leaflets.
Grammar. (of words) having a common derivation.
Bibliography. (of two leaves in a book) forming one sheet.
  1. (of two points, lines, etc.) so related as to be interchangeable in the enunciation of certain properties.
  2. (of an element) so related to a second element of a group that there exists a third element of the group that, multiplying one element on the right and the other element on the left, results in equal elements.
  3. (of two complex numbers) differing only in the sign of the imaginary part.
  1. of or noting two or more liquids in equilibrium with one another.
  2. (of an acid and a base) related by the loss or gain of a proton: NH 3 is a base conjugate to NH 4 + .
    NH 4 + is an acid conjugate to NH 3 .
  3. Also, conjugated. (of an organic compound) containing two or more double bonds each separated from the other by a single bond.
one of a group of conjugate words.
  1. either of two conjugate points, lines, etc.
  2. Also called complex conjugate, conjugate complex number. either of a pair of complex numbers of the type a + bi and abi, where a and b are real numbers and i is imaginary.
late Middle English
1425-75; late Middle English (adj.) < Latin conjugātus (past participle of conjugāre to yoke together), equivalent to con- con- + jug(um) yoke + -ātus -ate1
Related forms
[kon-juh-guh-buh l] /ˈkɒn dʒə gə bəl/ (Show IPA),
conjugably, adverb
conjugative, adjective
conjugator, noun
misconjugate, verb, misconjugated, misconjugating.
nonconjugate, adjective, noun
unconjugated, adjective Unabridged
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Examples from the web for conjugate
  • If they then conjugate with another of the species, exchanging genes, their vigor is renewed.
  • conjugate will have to explain his chess pieces and other symbols.
  • Some fail to make adjectives agree with nouns, or conjugate verbs improperly.
  • conjugate preparing for the inevitable bolt of lightning.
  • Verbs conjugate, and they do so in four and a half different conjugations.
  • He can build thoughts and sentences, even conjugate, all by pointing.
  • Since the conjugate base is stabilized, the above equilibrium lies on the right.
British Dictionary definitions for conjugate


verb (ˈkɒndʒʊˌɡeɪt)
(transitive) (grammar) to inflect (a verb) systematically; state or set out the conjugation of (a verb)
(intransitive) (of a verb) to undergo inflection according to a specific set of rules
(transitive) to join (two or more substances) together, esp in such a way that the resulting substance may easily be turned back into its original components
(intransitive) (biology) to undergo conjugation
(transitive) (obsolete) to join together, esp in marriage
adjective (ˈkɒndʒʊɡɪt; -ˌɡeɪt)
joined together in pairs; coupled
  1. (of two angles) having a sum of 360°
  2. (of two complex numbers) differing only in the sign of the imaginary part as 4 + 3i and 4 – 3i
  3. (of two algebraic numbers) being roots of the same irreducible algebraic equation with rational coefficients: 3 ± 2 √2 are conjugate algebraic numbers, being roots of x² – 6x + 1
  4. (of two elements of a square matrix) interchanged when the rows and columns are interchanged
  5. (of two arcs) forming a complete circle or other closed curved figure
(chem) of, denoting, or concerning the state of equilibrium in which two liquids can exist as two separate phases that are both solutions. The liquid that is the solute in one phase is the solvent in the other
another word for conjugated
(chem) (of acids and bases) related by loss or gain of a proton: Clis the conjugate base of HCl, HCl is the conjugate acid of Cl
  1. joined by a reciprocal relationship, such as in the case of two quantities, points, etc, that are interchangeable with respect to the properties of each of them
  2. (of points connected with a lens) having the property that an object placed at one point will produce an image at the other point
(of a compound leaf) having one pair of leaflets
(of words) cognate; related in origin
noun (ˈkɒndʒʊɡɪt)
one of a pair or set of conjugate substances, values, quantities, words, etc
Derived Forms
conjugable, adjective
conjugately, adverb
conjugateness, noun
conjugative, adjective
conjugator, noun
Word Origin
C15: from Latin conjugāre to join together, from com- together + jugāre to marry, connect, from jugum a yoke
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Word Origin and History for conjugate

1520s, in grammatical sense; 1560s in literal sense, from Latin coniugatus, past participle of coniugare "to yoke together" (see conjugal). Earlier as an adjective (late 15c.). Related: Conjugated; conjugating.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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conjugate in Medicine

conjugate con·ju·gate (kŏn'jə-gāt')
v. con·ju·gat·ed, con·ju·gat·ing, con·ju·gates
To undergo conjugation. adj. (-gĭt, -gāt')

  1. Joined together, especially in pairs.

  2. Pertaining to an acid and a base that are related by the difference of a proton.

n. (-gĭt, -gāt')
A distance between the points on the periphery of the pelvic canal, especially the promontory of the sacrum and the upper edge of the pubic symphysis. Also called anteroposterior diameter, conjugate diameter, conjugate of inlet, internal conjugate, true conjugate.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
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