distortion

noun

dis·​tor·​tion di-ˈstȯr-shən 

1

: the act of twisting or altering something out of its true, natural, or original state : the act of distorting

a distortion of the facts

2

: the quality or state of being distorted : a product of distorting: such as

a

physics : a lack of proportionality in an image resulting from defects in the optical system

an image free of distortion

b

: falsified reproduction of an audio or video signal (see signal entry 1 sense 4b) caused by change in the wave form of the original signal

distortional

di-ˈstȯr-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

Synonyms

• contortion
• deformation
• misshaping
• screwing
• squinching
• torturing
• warping

Examples of distortion in a Sentence

had to total the car due to a distortion of the chassis resulting from collision

Recent Examples on the Web

But Musk’s reality distortion field is something else entirely — hardly limited to overly optimistic timetables or pie-in-the-sky projections for Tesla’s delivery schedule. —Allison Morrow, CNN, 15 Oct. 2024

On Tumblr, Halsey fills her blog with art and writing — both her own and that of film directors, photographers, and nameless Tumblr users — without the distortion of pop stardom. —Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 14 Oct. 2024

Entire mythologies are woven around the transformative power of leaders, from Steve Jobs' ‘reality distortion field’ at Apple, to the (somewhat-tarnished) cold-fusion miracle of Jack Welch's constant profits at GE. —Dave Winsborough, Forbes, 6 Oct. 2024

The same can be said for Eliasson’s new work at the Museum of Contemporary Art Los Angeles, where a major exhibition devoted to the artist (as part of PST ART: Art & Science Collide) focuses entirely on the optical distortions of kaleidoscopic sculpture. —Kelly Presutti, ARTnews.com, 27 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

see distort

First Known Use

1581, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

distortion

noun

dis·​tor·​tion dis-ˈtȯr-shən 

1

: the act of distorting

2

: the condition of being distorted or a product of distortion

distortional

-shnəl 

-shən-ᵊl

adjective

Medical Definition

distortion

noun

dis·​tor·​tion dis-ˈtȯr-shən 

1

: the censorship of unacceptable unconscious impulses so that they are unrecognizable to the ego in the manifest content of a dream

2

: a lack of correspondence of size or intensity in an image resulting from defects in an optical system