elongation

noun elon·ga·tion \ (ˌ)ē-ˌlȯŋ-ˈgā-shən \

Updated on: 17 Mar 2018

Definition of elongation

1 : the angular distance of a celestial body from another around which it revolves or from a particular point in the sky

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 of elongation from the Web

One of the women smiled at me, managing both politeness and viciousness in a single elongation of the lips.

— alexander nazaryan, Newsweek, "The Kardashians Killed the Hamptons," 3 July 2014
Typical calf muscle strains/tears lead to elongation and separation of fibers which requires healing and, thus, linger.

— profootballdoc, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Antonio Brown looks good in practice, should be good to go," 9 Jan. 2018
Though already interminable, a strappy sandal ensured further elongation, resulting in a compelling argument for summer's more glamorous side—as well as the benefits of a seasonless sculpting workout.

— calin van paris, Vogue, "Gisele Bündchen's Secret for Making Her Legs Look Even Longer," 17 Aug. 2017
Suddenly, the caricature feels less like a perversion or elongation of the truth than a terrifying new reality.

— vanityfair.com, "How Russia Mercilessly Played Trump for a Fool," 20 July 2017
Suddenly, the caricature feels less like a perversion or elongation of the truth than a terrifying new reality.

— peter savodnik, The Hive, "How Russia Mercilessly Played Trump for a Fool," 20 July 2017
On January 12, Venus reaches its greatest elongation, meaning the planet appears farthest away from the sun from our vantage point here on Earth and will be well outside of the solar glare.

— andrew fazekas, National Geographic, "New Year’s Shooting Stars and 6 More Great Sky Events in January," 1 Jan. 2017
Signs of florets and peduncle elongation are already being seen and usually occur about 10 days before peak bloom is reached, according to local radio station 97.1 WASH-FM.

— jenae sitzes, Country Living, "Washington, DC's Cherry Blossom Trees are Blooming Weeks Earlier Than Usual," 27 Feb. 2017
The gene, known as elongation factor 1-alpha, or EF1-A, has a version that shows up more often in healthy animals than diseased animals, though researchers still aren’t sure why, or even what specific role the gene plays.

— National Geographic, "Starfish Baby Boom Surprises Biologists," 24 May 2016

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'elongation.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.