rearrangement stage

The elementary reaction or reaction stage (of a molecular rearrangement ) in which there is both making and breaking of bonds between atoms common to a reactant and a reaction product or a reaction intermediate. If the rearrangement stage consists of a single elementary reaction, this is a 'rearrangement step'.
Source:
PAC, 1994, 66, 1077 (Glossary of terms used in physical organic chemistry (IUPAC Recommendations 1994)) on page 1160