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

To further reduce distortions arising from divergent reporting practices and regulations, output measures were evaluated relative to institutional inputs or to country averages. —Time Staff, Time, 28 Jan. 2026

And to many white South Africans, the warped way their country is depicted abroad isn’t even the most important distortion. —Eve Fairbanks, The Dial, 27 Jan. 2026

By studying these distortions across large swathes of the universe, scientists can get closer to unmasking dark matter and its various hiding places. —CBS News, 26 Jan. 2026

This opens the door to distortions, the possibility of blending details with other experiences and even creating beliefs about events that never actually happened. —Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 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