modulus of elasticity
nounUK /ˈmɒdjʊləs əv ɪlæˈstɪsɪti/
US /ˈmɑːdʒələs əv ɪlæˈstɪsəti/
A number that tells how stiff a material is and how much it stretches when you pull it.
Engineers checked the modulus of elasticity of the steel before using it to build the bridge.
OTHER MEANINGS
2. The ratio of stress to strain in a material that returns to its original shape after being stretched.
Rubber has a low modulus of elasticity, so it stretches easily.
3. A measure used to predict how much a material will bend or compress under a load.
The modulus of elasticity helped the team choose the right material for the spring.
4. A property that describes a material's resistance to being deformed elastically.
Concrete has a high modulus of elasticity, which is why it does not bend much.