deformation
noun
de·for·ma·tion
ˌdē-ˌfȯr-ˈmā-shən 
ˌde-fər-
ˌde-fər-
1
: alteration of form or shape
also
: the product of such alteration
3
: change for the worse
Synonyms
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
And below, the deformation of tracks at Oceanía Station.
—
Matt Simon, WIRED, 10 Apr. 2024
The bones had lesions, deformations, and other abnormalities to the skeleton which indicate most of the animals suffered from a lack of sunlight and poor nutrition.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 6 Dec. 2023
Investigators will check threads on any fasteners, any possible metal-on-metal contact, the state of any sealant used, and any possible deformations or flaws in material, Homendy said during the interview Monday.
—Jay Blackman, NBC News, 9 Jan. 2024
The location of the deformation right now suggests to the IMO that the eruption is likely to start between Mt. Stóra-Skógfell and Mt. Hagafell.
—Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 29 Feb. 2024
Mechanical deformations will open a bandgap, and bandgaps up to 0.2 electron volts have been demonstrated.
—IEEE Spectrum, 18 Jan. 2024
Seismicity and ground deformation data have revealed a sheet of magma moving beneath Grindavík, potentially reactivating existing fissures and introducing new ones, per a statement by the Icelandic Met Office (IMO).
—Catherine Duncan, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Jan. 2024
Experimentally characterized crawling and deformation profiles, combined with numerical simulations, reveal programmable motion through changes in cut shape, magnet orientation, and translational motion.
—IEEE Spectrum, 8 Dec. 2023
The most intense deformation does appear to be happening just to the south of Mt. Porbjörn, so that could be the spot that is most likely to see an eruption.
—Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2023
Matt Simon, WIRED, 10 Apr. 2024
The bones had lesions, deformations, and other abnormalities to the skeleton which indicate most of the animals suffered from a lack of sunlight and poor nutrition.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 6 Dec. 2023
Investigators will check threads on any fasteners, any possible metal-on-metal contact, the state of any sealant used, and any possible deformations or flaws in material, Homendy said during the interview Monday.
—Jay Blackman, NBC News, 9 Jan. 2024
The location of the deformation right now suggests to the IMO that the eruption is likely to start between Mt. Stóra-Skógfell and Mt. Hagafell.
—Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 29 Feb. 2024
Mechanical deformations will open a bandgap, and bandgaps up to 0.2 electron volts have been demonstrated.
—IEEE Spectrum, 18 Jan. 2024
Seismicity and ground deformation data have revealed a sheet of magma moving beneath Grindavík, potentially reactivating existing fissures and introducing new ones, per a statement by the Icelandic Met Office (IMO).
—Catherine Duncan, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Jan. 2024
Experimentally characterized crawling and deformation profiles, combined with numerical simulations, reveal programmable motion through changes in cut shape, magnet orientation, and translational motion.
—IEEE Spectrum, 8 Dec. 2023
The most intense deformation does appear to be happening just to the south of Mt. Porbjörn, so that could be the spot that is most likely to see an eruption.
—Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'deformation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1551, in the meaning defined at sense 3
Dictionary Entries Near deformation
Cite this Entry
“Deformation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deformation. Accessed 15 Apr. 2024.
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More from Merriam-Webster on deformation
Nglish: Translation of deformation for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about deformation
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