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deformation

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

noun

  1. the act of deforming; distortion; disfigurement.

  2. the result of deforming; change of form, especially for the worse.

  3. an altered form.

  4. Geology, Mechanics. a change in the shape or dimensions of a body, resulting from stress; strain.


deformation British  
/ ˌdiːfɔːˈmeɪʃən /

noun

  1. the act of deforming; distortion

  2. the result of deforming; a change in form, esp for the worse

  3. a change in the dimensions of an object resulting from a stress

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of deformation

1400–50; late Middle English deformacioun < Latin dēfōrmātiōn- (stem of dēfōrmātiō ), equivalent to dēfōrmāt ( us ) (past participle of dēfōrmāre; see deform 1) + -iōn- -ion

Vocabulary lists containing deformation

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.

See Examples For:

Still, an earthquake swarm by itself doesn’t mean Yellowstone is preparing to erupt, nor does ground deformation, changing temperatures or gas emissions.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 22, 2026

Its strength model allows simulated planetary material to resist deformation in ways more consistent with real geologic substances, including the rock and metals that likely made up Theia and the proto-Earth, or solid ice.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 11, 2026

That suggests they experienced little or no major tectonic deformation during the late Miocene.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 9, 2026

The deformation of hemoglobin that causes sickle-cell disease can result in lifelong pain.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 9, 2026

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

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