Polydistortion refers to a phenomenon where multiple types of distortion occur simultaneously in a system, often affecting the quality of signals or images. This can happen in various fields, including audio processing, image editing, and telecommunications, where different distortions can combine to create a more complex output. In audio engineering, for example, polydistortion can result from overlapping effects like reverb and distortion, leading to a sound that may be difficult to control. In photography, it can manifest as a combination of lens distortions, such as barrel and pincushion distortion, affecting the overall clarity and accuracy of the image.