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
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
Because of the slope’s slow-moving collapse, scientists can study the landslide’s historical rates of deformation and see how those changes relate to the retreat of the Barry Arm glacier.
—
Darren Orf, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Mar. 2025
If the volcano doesn’t erupt at all, gas emissions, earthquakes, and ground deformations would slowly decline, disappearing over a few weeks or months without ever escalating into an explosion.
—Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 17 Mar. 2025
In addition to these elevated gas emissions, the volcanologists at the Alaska Volcano Observatory have also recorded escalations in earthquakes and ground deformations, with over 100 earthquakes having occurred at Mount Spurr each week for at least the last month.
—Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 17 Mar. 2025
As for timing, the signs suggest that the eruption would be sometime soon, with additional elevations in gas emissions, earthquakes, and ground deformations occurring in the lead-up to the blast.
—Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 17 Mar. 2025
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Darren Orf, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Mar. 2025
If the volcano doesn’t erupt at all, gas emissions, earthquakes, and ground deformations would slowly decline, disappearing over a few weeks or months without ever escalating into an explosion.
—Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 17 Mar. 2025
In addition to these elevated gas emissions, the volcanologists at the Alaska Volcano Observatory have also recorded escalations in earthquakes and ground deformations, with over 100 earthquakes having occurred at Mount Spurr each week for at least the last month.
—Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 17 Mar. 2025
As for timing, the signs suggest that the eruption would be sometime soon, with additional elevations in gas emissions, earthquakes, and ground deformations occurring in the lead-up to the blast.
—Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 17 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deformation
Cite this Entry
“Deformation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deformation. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.
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