What term refers to the property of materials that allows them to recover their shape after deformation?

The property of materials that allows them to recover their shape after deformation is known as elasticity. Elasticity is a fundamental characteristic of materials that determines how they respond to applied forces. When an elastic material is deformed, such as being stretched or compressed, it will return to its original shape and size once the forces are removed, as long as the deformation does not exceed the material's elastic limit.

This recovery ability is crucial in various engineering applications, as it allows components to endure stress without permanently changing their form. Materials with high elasticity can be very effective for applications that require flexibility and resilience under stress.