deformation
n.a change in the shape or size of an object because of pressure, heat, or weight.
n.the alteration of an object's original shape or size due to an applied force or a change in temperature. Often used in engineering and physics to describe structural failure or material stress.
“The heavy weight caused a permanent deformation in the metal bar.”
“Engineers must calculate the expected deformation of the bridge cables under the weight of heavy traffic.”
“Geologists study the crustal deformation that occurs along fault lines to better understand the seismic forces that lead to major earthquakes.”
Uncountable when referring to the general process; countable when referring to a specific instance of a distorted shape.
“In a brittle glass, deformation remains suppressed until the stress reaches a large yield value.”
“In 1855, engineers coined the word “ stress ,” from the word “distress,” to describe a beam pulled, pushed or twisted from multiple directions until the strain shows as a deformation.”
Common in science writing
From Old French deformation, see deform. Morphologically deform + -ation.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.