malformation

[ mal-fawr-mey-shuhn, -fer- ]

noun

1. faulty or anomalous formation or structure, especially in a living body:

   malformation of the teeth.

malformation

/ ˌmælfɔːˈmeɪʃən /

noun

1. the condition of being faulty or abnormal in form or shape
2. pathol a deformity in the shape or structure of a part, esp when congenital

Derived Forms

• malˈformed, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of malformation¹

First recorded in 1790–1800; mal- + formation

Example Sentences

The study also identified increased risks of mortality associated with several causes such as respiratory, circulatory and digestive system disorders; nervous system, endocrine and infectious diseases; cancers; and congenital malformations.

From Science Daily

Roughly 4% of the population is affected by a congenital brain malformation that has eluded researchers' efforts to find causes and treatments.

From Science Daily

One study of children born in Denmark between 2008 and 2017, for example, showed that, after adjusting for confounding factors, antipsychotics during the first trimester did not increase the risk of congenital malformations.

From Salon

The health service and government of the time "defended itself, rather than trying to find the absolute truth for people" about whether a hormone pregnancy test caused malformations, stillbirths and abortions, she said.

From BBC

Anencephaly is a fatal congenital malformation where major parts of the brain and skull fail to form.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• abnormality
• defect
• disfigurement
• impairment
• mutation