distortion

noun

dis·​tor·​tion di-ˈstȯr-shən How to pronounce distortion (audio)
1
: the act of twisting or altering something out of its true, natural, or original state : the act of distorting
a distortion of the facts
2
: the quality or state of being distorted : a product of distorting: such as
a
physics : a lack of proportionality in an image resulting from defects in the optical system
an image free of distortion
b
: falsified reproduction of an audio or video signal (see signal entry 1 sense 4b) caused by change in the wave form of the original signal
distortional adjective

Examples of distortion in a Sentence

had to total the car due to a distortion of the chassis resulting from collision
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Strong pay gains appear to be a holdout while other Covid-era distortions fade, Elyse Ausenbaugh, head of investment strategy at JPMorgan Wealth Management, wrote in commentary issued Friday. Alicia Wallace, CNN, 6 Dec. 2024 To be sure, this report, written under the guise of international law and human rights, is utterly baseless, replete with malicious lies and gross distortions of fact, as well as wholesale fabrications of law. Jason Fields, Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2024 That glut of buying creates all sorts of distortions. Kelly Evans, CNBC, 2 Dec. 2024 That would cancel the effect of image distortions introduced by slight variations from one machine to another. IEEE Spectrum, 27 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for distortion 

Word History

Etymology

see distort

First Known Use

1581, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of distortion was in 1581

Dictionary Entries Near distortion

Cite this Entry

“Distortion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/distortion. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

distortion

noun
dis·​tor·​tion dis-ˈtȯr-shən How to pronounce distortion (audio)
1
: the act of distorting
2
: the condition of being distorted or a product of distortion
distortional
-shnəl How to pronounce distortion (audio)
-shən-ᵊl
adjective

Medical Definition

distortion

noun
dis·​tor·​tion dis-ˈtȯr-shən How to pronounce distortion (audio)
1
: the censorship of unacceptable unconscious impulses so that they are unrecognizable to the ego in the manifest content of a dream
2
: a lack of correspondence of size or intensity in an image resulting from defects in an optical system

More from Merriam-Webster on distortion

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