Word
elongation
Phoneticselon·ga·tion
US/ˌiɫɔŋˈɡeɪʃən/
UK/ɪləŋɡˈeɪʃən/
Countable & uncountable
Definition
n. a stretch that makes something longer, or the process of becoming longer. You use it when something grows or pulls longer in one direction.
n. a lengthening or stretching of something in one direction, or the resulting increased length. In astronomy, refers to the angular separation between the Sun and another body as viewed from Earth.
Examples
“Heat causes the elongation of the metal rod.”
“The physical therapist measures the elongation of the muscle as the patient stretches his leg.”
“Astronomers waited for the planet's greatest eastern elongation, when Mercury would appear farthest from the Sun's glare and briefly visible after sunset.”
Examples
simple
“Heat causes the elongation of the metal rod.”
contextual
“The physical therapist measures the elongation of the muscle as the patient stretches his leg.”
complex
“Astronomers waited for the planet's greatest eastern elongation, when Mercury would appear farthest from the Sun's glare and briefly visible after sunset.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “elongation” in context.
Verb
01. cause elongation
“Prolonged heating can cause elongation of metal rails in summer.”
verb + noun
02. elongation increases
“Elongation increases steadily as temperature rises.”
noun + verb
03. elongation occurs
“Elongation occurs rapidly when the muscle fibre is stretched.”
noun + verb
04. elongation slows
“Elongation slows markedly once the plant enters dormancy.”
noun + verb
05. measure elongation
“Engineers measure elongation to test the ductility of steel.”
verb + noun
Adjective
06. axial elongation
“Axial elongation of the eyeball is closely linked to myopia.”
adj + noun
07. excessive elongation
“Excessive elongation of the cable caused it to sag between poles.”
adj + noun
08. gradual elongation
“The gradual elongation of the stem helped the plant reach more light.”
adj + noun
09. permanent elongation
“Overloading the spring caused permanent elongation and loss of tension.”
adj + noun
Noun
10. degree of elongation
“The degree of elongation determines whether the material recovers.”
noun + prep + noun
11. measure axial elongation of eye
“Clinicians measure axial elongation of the eye to monitor myopia.”
12. percentage elongation at break
“The report lists percentage elongation at break for each polymer.”
Real-World Examples
“Ultimately, the researchers succeeded in developing an Fe-4Ni-0.6C steel with a uniform elongation of nearly 140%.” Etymology
Borrowed from Late Latin elongatio, elongationem.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
Related words
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/elongation