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deformation

American  
[dee-fawr-mey-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

Derived 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.

His approach relied on tensors, mathematical objects commonly used to describe quantities such as stress and deformation.

From Science Daily • Jun. 3, 2026

These waves are especially useful for mapping seismic anisotropy across distances of hundreds of kilometers, offering a clearer picture of how deformation is distributed in the deepest mantle.

From Science Daily • Apr. 23, 2026

Scientists were able to confirm Jerk alerts using other monitoring indicators, including seismicity, ground deformation, and volcanic gas measurements.

From Science Daily • Mar. 15, 2026

Additional observations such as seismic activity, ground deformation, and volcanic gas measurements confirmed the presence of magma beneath the volcano during these alerts.

From Science Daily • Mar. 15, 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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