English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
noun

dilation

deye-LAY-shuhn

Dilation (noun) means the act or process of becoming wider or larger. Example: “The nurse checked the dilation of the cervix every hour.”

noun
1
The act or process of becoming wider or larger.
"The nurse checked the dilation of the cervix every hour."
"Dilation of the pupils can be a sign of certain drugs."

How to use dilation

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe process of widening or expanding, especially used medically.

Word forms

dilations plural

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “dilation” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The nurse checked the _____ of the cervix every hour.

Etymology

From dilate plus the suffix -ion, first used in this form in the late 1500s.

· First attested 1500

Class of 1500 dilation joined the language around 1500.
See the full Class of 1500 →

Related words

Rhymes for dilation

See all rhymes for dilation →

Frequently asked questions

What does “dilation” mean?

The word “dilation” means the act or process of becoming wider or larger. In plain terms, the process of widening or expanding, especially used medically.

How do you pronounce “dilation”?

“Dilation” is pronounced deye-LAY-shuhn (/daɪˈleɪʃən/ in IPA).

How do you use “dilation” in a sentence?

Here is “dilation” used in a sentence: “The nurse checked the dilation of the cervix every hour.”

What part of speech is “dilation”?

“Dilation” is a noun.

Where does the word “dilation” come from?

The word “dilation” dates back to around 1500. From dilate plus the suffix -ion, first used in this form in the late 1500s.

People also searched

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial