deformation

noun

de·​for·​ma·​tion ˌdē-ˌfȯr-ˈmā-shən  ˌde-fər- 

1

: alteration of form or shape

also : the product of such alteration

2

: the action of deforming : the state of being deformed

3

: change for the worse

deformational

ˌdē-ˌfȯr-ˈmā-sh(ə-)nəl 

ˌde-fər-

adjective

Synonyms

• contortion
• distortion
• misshaping
• screwing
• squinching
• torturing
• warping

Examples of deformation in a Sentence

the catastrophic deformation of the steel girders under the enormous weight of the bridge

Recent Examples on the Web

Those tools can’t, for instance, always account for conditions like tire deformation. —Eric D. Lawrence, Detroit Free Press, 24 Oct. 2024

The higher-ranking Maya used different techniques to shape their children’s skulls, creating an oblique deformation, which made their heads look longer than the average Maya’s. —Martin Broen, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Oct. 2024

That's what is being measured by the deformation of the crust. —Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 30 Sep. 2024

Their hardness, which is their ability to withstand surface deformation, falls just short of that of Ti-6Al-4V. Additional research could boost their hardness further. —Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 14 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1551, in the meaning defined at sense 3