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elongation

noun
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elon·​ga·​tion | \ (ˌ)ē-ˌlȯŋ-ˈgā-shən How to pronounce elongation (audio) \

Definition of elongation

1 : the angular distance in the sky between a celestial body and another around which it revolves or between a celestial body and a particular point (such as the point where its path intersects the horizon) the elongation of Venus from the Sun
2a : the state of being elongated or lengthened also : the process of elongating
b : something that is elongated
Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about elongation

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Examples of elongation in a Sentence

the elongation of artificial fibers in the manufacturing process
Recent Examples on the Web The results showed an elongation of the adductors in his right thigh. — SI.com, "Inter Provide Injury Update on Stefano Sensi Following Juventus Defeat," 8 Oct. 2019 Being a four-door sedan, the Jetta GLI forgoes the Golf's hatch for a bit of elongation and a conventional trunk. — Jim Resnick, Ars Technica, "The VW Jetta GLI: A Golf GTI with a trunk, or cost-cut spiced-up sedan?," 7 Oct. 2019 At the same time, his colleague Robert Harrington, also at the Naval Observatory calculated what the elongation should be if the bump was a moon. — Nola Taylor Redd, Space.com, "Celebrating 40 Years of Pluto's Largest Moon, Charon," 14 July 2018 Pink-red Mercury is nearing its greatest elongation from the sun. — Arnold Pearlstein, sun-sentinel.com, "The Stars This Week: Aug. 4-10," 4 Aug. 2019 The ancient skull fragment from Apidima lacks this elongation. — Maya Wei-haas, National Geographic, "Enigmatic skull may be the oldest modern human outside Africa. But questions abound.," 10 July 2019 Mercury reaches greatest elongation or farthest distance from the sun. — Arnold Pearlstein, sun-sentinel.com, "The Stars This Week: June 23-29," 23 June 2019 The delicate structure and extreme elongation of this fossilized vertebra strongly suggests its role not as a weapon, but as a warning. — Jill Kiedaisch, Popular Mechanics, "Newly Discovered Dinos Had Badass Bone Mohawks," 7 Feb. 2019 Blanc has an elegant creepiness, almost ghostly in her elongation but always quietly in control. — Nathan Mattise, Ars Technica, "Suspiria and Border offer two very different tales of otherworldly creatures," 26 Oct. 2018

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.

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First Known Use of elongation

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Time Traveler for elongation

Time Traveler

The first known use of elongation was in the 15th century

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Statistics for elongation

Last Updated

23 Nov 2019

Cite this Entry

“Elongation.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elongation. Accessed 21 January 2020.

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More Definitions for elongation

elongation

noun
elon·​ga·​tion | \ (ˌ)ē-ˌlȯŋ-ˈgā-shən How to pronounce elongation (audio) \

Medical Definition of elongation

1 : the state of being elongated or lengthened also : the process of growing or increasing in length chain elongation in DNA synthesis the elongation of a muscle under tension
2 : something that is elongated

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More from Merriam-Webster on elongation

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for elongation

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with elongation

Spanish Central: Translation of elongation

Nglish: Translation of elongation for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of elongation for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about elongation

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