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 of distortion

• deformation

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

Economists warn that residual distortions in the consumer price index from the October government shutdown are expected to continue to weigh on the index for the next several months, making inflation appear somewhat cooler than underlying pressures. —Arkansas Online, 9 Mar. 2026

The skull distortion was so extensive that physical reconstruction wasn’t possible. —Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 7 Mar. 2026

Like most lenses for digital systems, the RF 70-200mm Z relies on a correction profile to compensate for optical distortion and vignetting. —Jim Fisher, PC Magazine, 5 Mar. 2026

Highway seems to be a deliberate effort to pick up where the band left off, dialing back the guitar distortion to make space for swirling organ chords and surprisingly danceable beats. —Jude Noel, Pitchfork, 4 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

see distort

First Known Use

1581, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for distortion

• abortion
• apportion
• contortion
• extortion
• proportion
• disproportion
• portion
• torsion

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