deformation

noun

de·​for·​ma·​tion ˌdē-ˌfȯr-ˈmā-shən  ˌde-fər- 

1

: alteration of form or shape

also : the product of such alteration

2

: the action of deforming : the state of being deformed

3

: change for the worse

deformational

ˌdē-ˌfȯr-ˈmā-sh(ə-)nəl 

ˌde-fər-

adjective

Synonyms

• contortion
• distortion
• misshaping
• screwing
• squinching
• torturing
• warping

Examples of deformation in a Sentence

the catastrophic deformation of the steel girders under the enormous weight of the bridge

Recent Examples on the Web

But the researchers found that under the right conditions, the gravitational waves triggered by the quantum foam can sometimes generate exactly the right kind of deformations in space. —Paul Sutter, Space.com, 19 Jan. 2025

Rheology is a branch of physics that deals with the deformation and fluidity of matter. —Leath Tonino, Outside Online, 13 Jan. 2025

These include maintaining strict control of the operation temperature, applying piezoelectric force to correct mask-shape deformation, and applying heat from a laser to expand or contract the wafer and bring it and the mask more into alignment. —IEEE Spectrum, 2 Jan. 2025

In 2018, a team of French physicists developed a rudimentary mathematical model to describe the deformation of a common type of knit. —Ars Technica, 27 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1551, in the meaning defined at sense 3