deformation

[ dee-fawr-mey-shuhn, def-er- ]

noun

1. the act of deforming; deform; distortion; disfigurement.
2. the result of deforming; deform; change of form, especially for the worse.
3. an altered form.
4. Geology, Mechanics. a change in the shape or dimensions of a body, resulting from stress; strain.

Other Words From

• defor·mation·al adjective
• nonde·for·mation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of deformation¹

1400–50; late Middle English deformacioun < Latin dēfōrmātiōn- (stem of dēfōrmātiō ), equivalent to dēfōrmāt ( us ) (past participle of dēfōrmāre; deform ¹ ) + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

A material with this sensitivity could be valuable for engineering applications in which large-scale forces need to be measured, as in monitoring building deformations, or in biological research to characterize forces in cells.

From Science Daily

“There would be earthquakes galore and ground deformation. It wouldn’t be a single feature that had an explosion — there would be changes all over the place.”

From Los Angeles Times

Understanding the distinctive and highly directional nature of halogen bonds is crucial for crystal engineering and studying photoinduced structural deformations, which is key for the development of innovative photo-functional materials.

From Science Daily

Now, a study by MIT scientists offers a new picture of glacier flow, based on microscopic deformation in the ice.

From Science Daily

A generated map of soil-bearing properties can help city planners ensure structures are built on stable foundations, minimizing the risk of failure during soil deformation events.

From Science Daily

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