Which property of a material describes its ability to return to its original shape after deformation?

The property that describes a material's ability to return to its original shape after deformation is known as elasticity. When a material is subjected to a stress that causes deformation, if it is elastic, it will deform under the applied stress and then revert back to its original shape once the stress is removed. This behavior is critical in many engineering applications as it allows materials to withstand forces without undergoing permanent changes.

Plasticity, in contrast, refers to the ability of a material to undergo permanent deformation without breaking when subjected to stress. Ductility is related to how much a material can be stretched or drawn into a wire before it breaks, showcasing its ability to deform under tensile stress. Brittleness describes a material's tendency to break or shatter without significant deformation when stress is applied, which would not allow for any recovery of the original shape. Therefore, elasticity stands out as it specifically pertains to the recovery aspect following deformation.