dilation

American  

[dahy-ley-shuhn, dih-] / daɪˈleɪ ʃən, dɪ- /

noun

1. the act of dilating; state of being dilated.

2. dilatation.

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dilation Scientific  

/ dī-lā′shən,dĭ- /

1. The widening or stretching of an opening or a hollow structure in the body.

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Other Word Forms

• nondilation noun
• overdilation noun
• self-dilation noun

Etymology

Origin of dilation

First recorded in 1590–1600; dilate + -ion

Example Sentences

Not only do we tend to mirror each other’s movements, postures, facial expressions and gestures; we also uncannily sync up our heart rates, blood pressure, pupil dilation and hormonal activity.

From The Wall Street Journal

This is important because insulin-assisted dilation helps move glucose from the bloodstream into body tissues, lowering blood sugar after meals.

From Science Daily

Time itself passes differently at such distances -- a phenomenon known as cosmological time dilation.

From Science Daily

Caffeine has a time dilation on it so it could be hours that I’m in there or 30 minutes.

From Los Angeles Times

According to the complaint, the patient reported to Brock’s office in September 2018 for a dilation and curettage to remove remaining tissues from her uterus.

From Los Angeles Times