malformation
Americannoun
noun
-
the condition of being faulty or abnormal in form or shape
-
pathol a deformity in the shape or structure of a part, esp when congenital
Other Word Forms
- malformed adjective
Etymology
Origin of malformation
Explanation
A malformation is something that doesn't have a normal shape or structure. A baby born with a heart malformation may need surgery to correct it so that her heart functions properly. Malformation is commonly used in medicine for body parts that aren't formed in the typical way. Many of these are congenital malformations, which develop before a baby is born. Frequently, malformations result in nothing more than different-looking bodies, but sometimes they're serious enough to cause problems, like a brain malformation that causes bleeding or a palate malformation that makes eating a challenge. Mal- means "bad," and here it's added to formation, "act of being formed."
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.
Certain pregnancies were excluded from both groups, including those that ended before 37 weeks, involved multiple babies, or resulted in a child with a major congenital malformation.
From Science Daily • Feb. 15, 2026
After being diagnosed with an arteriovenous malformation, a rare life-threatening medical condition, at age six, she has used her platform to raise awareness and inspire others.
From BBC • Nov. 13, 2025
Anencephaly is a fatal congenital malformation where major parts of the brain and skull fail to form.
From Seattle Times • May 15, 2024
Sonny was born with a congenital malformation that impaired his brain development and needs near continuous care simply to breathe and eat.
From New York Times • Mar. 4, 2024
Instead, I recited, “I have an extremely rare genetic disorder that causes malformation of the limbs.”
From "Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus" by Dusti Bowling
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
