1 deformation | Definition of deformation

deformation

noun
de·​for·​ma·​tion | \ ˌdē-ˌfȯr-ˈmā-shən How to pronounce deformation (audio) , ˌde-fər- How to pronounce deformation (audio) \

Definition of deformation

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

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Other Words from deformation

deformational \ ˌdē-​ˌfȯr-​ˈmā-​shə-​nᵊl How to pronounce deformational (audio) , ˌde-​fər-​ \ adjective

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

Researchers developed an artificial neural network, a type of AI, to automatically detect large deformation events, a sign that magma is moving underground. Jackie Snow, National Geographic, "Volcano forecasts could soon be a reality, thanks to AI," 9 Aug. 2019 The northern and southern sections are much more seismically active than the central section – with frequent small earthquakes and ground deformations that residents don’t often notice. The Conversation, oregonlive.com, "Earthquake risk along NW coast is not the same for all areas," 8 July 2019 Never use glass tanks — the slippery surfaces cause deformations in how the animals’ feet develop. Elise Takahama, The Seattle Times, "‘I love ’em to death’: Kennewick woman gives home to hundreds of neglected tortoises," 5 Aug. 2019 To the butt plugs Prause added piezoelectric discs, which detect deformation. Matt Simon, WIRED, "The Strange Saga of the Butt Plug Turned Research Device," 11 July 2019 Geologists have recently been able to deploy hundreds of GPS monitors across Cascadia to record the subtle ground deformations that result from the plates’ inability to slide past each other. The Conversation, oregonlive.com, "Earthquake risk along NW coast is not the same for all areas," 8 July 2019 As Science Alert’s Michelle Starr explains, intentional cranial modification (ICM), also known as artificial cranial deformation, has been practiced around the world for millennia, albeit for a number of different reasons. Meilan Solly, Smithsonian, "Ancient Chinese Graves Reveal Evidence of Early Skull Reshaping," 6 July 2019 Convergent: Where plates smash together, resulting in deformation or destruction of one or more plate edges. Gemma Tarlach, Discover Magazine, "Plate Tectonics: The Slow Dance of Our Planet's Crust," 12 June 2019 The initial torquing stretches the bolt along its length nearly to its limit of elastic deformation. Popular Mechanics Editors, Popular Mechanics, "How to Use a Torque Wrench to Keep Your Car from Flying Apart," 26 Feb. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'deformation.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of deformation

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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