dilatation

noun

di·​la·​ta·​tion ˌdi-lə-ˈtā-shən 

ˌdī-

plural dilatations

1

a

: the state of being expanded or widened

specifically : the condition of being stretched or enlarged beyond normal dimensions especially as a result of overwork, disease, or abnormal relaxation

dilatation of the heart

Probably one of the most prevalent conditions in sighthounds is dilatation of the stomach …

—Asa Mays

Pulmonary vascular dilatation contributes to hypoxemia …

—Elizabeth Dean

b

: the act or action of stretching, widening, or enlarging an organ or part of the body : dilation sense b

… balloon dilatation of the affected tubal wall …

—Edmond Confino et al.

c

: a dilated or enlarged part or formation

intestinal dilatations

2

archaic : amplification in writing or speech

"… And then he went on in a dilatation on the dumbness of Nature during the season's suspension and torpidity."

—Cowden Clarke

dilatational

ˌdi-lə-ˈtā-sh(ə-)nəl 

ˌdī-

adjective

Examples of dilatation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

These cells cause vascular dilatation, resulting in crimson skin tone that is associated with niacin usage. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 11 Oct. 2022

That dilatation then triggers a primitive gut pain signal that’s perceived around the bellybutton. —Tony Dajer, Discover Magazine, 11 Feb. 2020

Twelve objects were removed transanally by anal dilatation under general anesthesia. —Ncbi Rofl, Discover Magazine, 29 Mar. 2013

Hypertrophy and dilatation are known to cause the heart over time to have profoundly diminished functional capacity. —Elizabeth Cooney, STAT, 7 Aug. 2022

Elevated feeders were once recommended as a way to prevent gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV), also known as bloat, a life-threatening condition that’s most prevalent in large and deep-chested breeds. —Lindsay Pevny, Popular Mechanics, 24 June 2022

The couple’s veterinarian later confirmed that Gus died from a stomach bloat, also known as gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV). —Timothy Bella, Washington Post, 16 June 2022

In the case of Spix’s little blue macaws, that disease was nasty and incurable: proventricular dilatation disease. —Grrlscientist, Forbes, 15 June 2022

Overdrinking or drinking too rapidly may cause bloat, a term used to describe gastric dilatation-volvulus. —Bayliss Wagner, USA TODAY, 12 Aug. 2021

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

dilatation

noun

di·​la·​ta·​tion ˌdil-ə-ˈtā-shən 

ˌdī-lə-

: dilation sense 2

Medical Definition

dilatation

noun

di·​la·​ta·​tion ˌdil-ə-ˈtā-shən  ˌdī-lə- 

1

a

: the condition of being stretched or enlarged beyond normal dimensions especially as a result of overwork or disease or of abnormal relaxation

dilatation of the heart

dilatation of the stomach

b

: the act or action of stretching, widening, or enlarging an organ or part of the body : dilation sense 1b

… balloon dilatation of the affected tubal wall …

—Edmond Confino et al., The Journal of the American Medical Association

2

: a dilated or enlarged part or formation

intestinal dilatations