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

Last year, India had urged members at the BRICS summit to address their trade imbalances with New Delhi, and market access to address that distortion is expected to be on the agenda this year. — Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 11 Sep. 2026

Concerns about tariffs are creating distortions in the global market and contributing to higher prices, analysts say. — John Towfighi, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2026

Its dual neodymium drivers deliver 12W of clear audio backed by proprietary BassUp processing to enhance low-end frequencies without distortion. — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 6 Sep. 2026

Age can be as much a distortion as gender, race, class, culture, or any other generalization. — Gloria Steinem, Vogue, 4 Sep. 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