Meaning & use
dilatant
Last updated
describing a fluid that becomes thicker or more resistant to flow when force or stress is applied to it.
See it in a sentence
A mixture of cornstarch and water is a classic example of a dilatant substance.
Engineers study dilatant materials for use in impact-resistant body armor.
A note on using this word
The opposite behavior, where a fluid thins under stress, is called 'shear-thinning' or 'pseudoplastic.'
Words with a similar meaning
shear-thickening
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