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-shnəl 

-shə-nᵊl

adjective

Synonyms

• contortion
• deformation
• misshaping
• screwing
• squinching
• torturing
• warping

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

General relativity holds that gravity is not really an invisible force of mutual attraction, but a distortion. —Rebecca Boyle, TIME, 8 Apr. 2024

Raw images show some barrel distortion at wide angles, the inward pincushion effect at longer focal lengths, and a vignette at f/2.8. —PCMAG, 28 Mar. 2024

In its most extreme iterations, gen AI extends a grotesque American tradition: the deliberate devaluing of Black life through distortion and theft. —Jason Parham, WIRED, 20 Mar. 2024

Other effects include permanent changes in color perception, distortion of vision, light sensitivity, and headaches. —George Dvorsky / Gizmodo, Quartz, 13 Mar. 2024

Many of the flaws pointed out on social media center around Middleton and the children’s hands— distortions viewers argued can often be signs that a photo has been altered or aided by AI. —Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 10 Mar. 2024

Note possible negative effects of VR, such as somatic illusions, vestibular distortions and elevated loads on the eyes. —Sergei Vardomatski, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024

Per the American Society of Retina Specialists, viewing the sun -- or even a laser -- without proper eye protection can cause direct damage to the retina leading to blurred vision, blind spots or distortion, and in some cases even permanent vision loss. —Kelsey Chapman, ABC News, 27 Mar. 2024

What are we supposed to hear through the distortion? —New York Times, 26 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

see distort

First Known Use

1581, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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