elongation
noun
elon·ga·tion
(ˌ)ē-ˌlȯŋ-ˈgā-shən 
1
: the angular distance in the sky between a celestial body and another around which it revolves or between a celestial body and a particular point (such as the point where its path intersects the horizon)
the elongation of Venus from the Sun
2
a
: the state of being elongated or lengthened
also
: the process of elongating
b
: something that is elongated
Examples of elongation in a Sentence
the elongation of artificial fibers in the manufacturing process
Recent Examples on the Web
Saturday, March 8: Mercury At Its Highest And Moon Meets Mars
Today, Mercury reaches its greatest eastern elongation, shining at magnitude -0.3 just above the western horizon after sunset.
—
Jamie Carter, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
In general, the most favorable elongations of Mercury — morning or evening — are those when the planet rises or sets in a dark sky, and that situation will occur for a five-day interval beginning later this week.
—Joe Rao, Space.com, 26 Feb. 2025
The greatest elongation refers to the point when Mercury or Venus appears farthest from the sun in the sky's dome.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025
One consequence of its current travel closer to Earth is that, on Jan. 10, Venus reached its greatest elongation east from the sun, shining brilliantly in the southwest sky after sunset.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for elongation
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Jamie Carter, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
In general, the most favorable elongations of Mercury — morning or evening — are those when the planet rises or sets in a dark sky, and that situation will occur for a five-day interval beginning later this week.
—Joe Rao, Space.com, 26 Feb. 2025
The greatest elongation refers to the point when Mercury or Venus appears farthest from the sun in the sky's dome.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025
One consequence of its current travel closer to Earth is that, on Jan. 10, Venus reached its greatest elongation east from the sun, shining brilliantly in the southwest sky after sunset.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for elongation
Cite this Entry
“Elongation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elongation. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
elongation
noun
elon·ga·tion
(ˌ)ē-ˌlȯŋ-ˈgā-shən
1
: the state of being elongated or lengthened
also
: the process of growing or increasing in length
chain elongation in DNA synthesis
the elongation of a muscle under tension
2
: something that is elongated
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