transformer
/tɹænsˈfɔːmə/ · trans·form·er
noun
- A toy in the Transformers toyline which has mechanical parts that allow it to be altered in appearance from its original form as a humanoid robot action figure to another form, usually a vehicle, depending on the toy. The child's favorite toy was a transforming robot that turned into a sports car.
- One of the characters in the Transformers franchise who is an alien humanoid robot that can mechanically alter its appearance, or 'transform', into a vehicle, creature, or (rarely) a tool. The Autobot leader, Optimus Prime, was a powerful transformer with the ability to transform into a Peterbilt 359 semi-truck.
- Something that transforms, changing its own or another thing's shape. The artist used a transformer to change the shape of the metal sculpture from a sphere to a cube.
- A static device that transfers electric energy from one circuit to another by magnetic coupling. The electrical engineer designed a transformer to step up the voltage of the power supply for the new building.
Did you know? The first practical transformer was invented by Nikola Tesla in 1885, revolutionizing the field of electrical engineering and paving the way for the widespread use of alternating current (AC) power.