elongation

Everyday

1. Elongation is making something longer or becoming longer, by stretching or growing. tree →
2. (science) Elongation is how much a material stretches before it breaks. tree →

In the lessons

Science: plants show elongation as their stems grow toward light; materials stretch under force; springs and elastic bands. Maths: an elongated shape is long and thin. Phrases: elongation of, stem elongation.

Examples

• The elongation of the elastic band showed how heavy the weight was. tree →
• Plant stems show elongation as they reach for light. tree →
• We measured the elongation of the spring in centimetres. tree →
• The giraffe's neck is an example of elongation of bones. tree →
• Heat can cause elongation of metal rails. tree →
• Each extra weight caused more elongation. tree →

Note

Scientific word; plain phrase is stretching or getting longer. In an experiment, elongation = new length minus original length (for example 15 cm − 10 cm = 5 cm). Elongated is the adjective (an elongated oval).