弹性模量是指当有力施加于物体或物质时，其弹性变形（非永久变形）趋势的数学描述。物体的弹性模量定义为弹性变形区的应力－应变曲线的斜率：

其中λ是弹性模量，stress（应力）是引起受力区变形的力，strain（应变）是应力引起的变化与物体原始状态的比。应力的单位是帕斯卡，应变是没有单位的（无量纲的），那幺λ的单位也是帕斯卡。

均质各向同性（固体）材料的（线性）弹性性质可以由4种弹性模量中的任意2种弹性模量完全描述清楚，如下表所示。

无粘性流体不能支撑剪切应力，因此剪切模量总为零，从而杨氏模量也总为零。

The modulus of elasticity (also known as the elastic modulus, the tensile modulus, or Young's modulus) is a number that measures an object or substance's resistance to being deformed elastically (i.e., non-permanently) when a force is applied to it. The elastic modulus of an object is defined as the slope of its stress–strain curve in the elastic deformation region: A stiffer material will have a higher elastic modulus. An elastic modulus has the form.