deformation

American

[dee-fawr-mey-shuhn, def-er-] / ˌdi fɔrˈmeɪ ʃən, ˌdɛf ər- /

noun

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

Other Word Forms

deformational adjective
nondeformation noun

Etymology

Origin of deformation

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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Activity far below the surface can prepare the crust for later deformation, influencing where major fractures and rifts eventually develop.

From Science Daily • Feb. 23, 2026

"These notches in the wheels and the deformation observed in the track are compatible with the fact that the track was cracked," it wrote in what it called a "working hypothesis".

From Barron's • Jan. 23, 2026

Flexoelectricity occurs when bending or deformation in a material produces an electrical response.

From Science Daily • Dec. 16, 2025

CalMac engaged a naval architect to report on the root cause of the deformation, while more repairs were carried out in Greenock, by a different ship repair firm.

From BBC • Jul. 7, 2025

Like Brugman, Swanson, and Johnston, CVO scientists also monitor active volcanoes through ground deformation, seismic activity, and gas emissions.

From "Mountain of Fire" by Rebecca E. F. Barone

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023