elongation

noun

elon·​ga·​tion (ˌ)ē-ˌlȯŋ-ˈgā-shən 

1

: the angular distance in the sky between a celestial body and another around which it revolves or between a celestial body and a particular point (such as the point where its path intersects the horizon)

the elongation of Venus from the Sun

2

a

: the state of being elongated or lengthened

also : the process of elongating

b

: something that is elongated

Synonyms

• drawing out
• extension
• lengthening
• prolongation
• prolonging
• stretching

Examples of elongation in a Sentence

the elongation of artificial fibers in the manufacturing process

Recent Examples on the Web

Mercury’s greatest elongation — when a planet is at its apparent furthest distance from the sun — officially occurs in the pre-dawn hours of Nov. 16. —Stephanie Vermillion, Travel + Leisure, 1 Nov. 2024

The editors came up with that, maybe as a result of my having pushed for a kind of elongation of that moment with them both facing the camera and her walking away. —Matt Zoller Seitz, Vulture, 19 June 2024

The Tank Louis specifically saw an elongation of the rectangle and a softening of the corners of the rails that run vertically along the sides. —Blake Buettner, Robb Report, 26 July 2024

Per Toplak and Kerk, there is evidence of skull elongation being practiced in various ancient and medieval cultures, from South America and Central Asia to Southeast Europe. —Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 10 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

elongation

noun

elon·​ga·​tion (ˌ)ē-ˌlȯŋ-ˈgā-shən 

1

: the state of being elongated or lengthened

also : the process of growing or increasing in length

chain elongation in DNA synthesis

the elongation of a muscle under tension

2

: something that is elongated