ductility
noun
duc·til·i·ty
ˌdək-ˈti-lə-tē 
: the quality or state of being ductile
especially
: the ability of a material to have its shape changed (as by being drawn out into wire or thread) without losing strength or breaking
When certain alloys are added to metal, hardness and strength can be improved without decreasing the ductility. —
Daniel A. Brandt
Daniel A. Brandt Examples of ductility in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
This twinning process increases ductility, allowing the material to stretch in more directions, but excessive twinning can create clusters of defects that eventually cause cracks.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 7 Aug. 2025
Quantum annealing: This term is borrowed from annealing, a process that uses heat to alter the physical or chemical properties of a metal, glass, or plastic film to increase ductility and reduce hardness.
—Ars Technica, 30 Oct. 2024
Some phases are harder, while others confer ductility, a measure of how much the metal can be bent and twisted out of shape without shearing and creating jagged edges that penetrate and tear squishy human bodies.
—John Johnson Jr., Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Aug. 2024
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 7 Aug. 2025
Quantum annealing: This term is borrowed from annealing, a process that uses heat to alter the physical or chemical properties of a metal, glass, or plastic film to increase ductility and reduce hardness.
—Ars Technica, 30 Oct. 2024
Some phases are harder, while others confer ductility, a measure of how much the metal can be bent and twisted out of shape without shearing and creating jagged edges that penetrate and tear squishy human bodies.
—John Johnson Jr., Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Aug. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Ductility.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ductility. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share