deflection

noun

de·​flec·​tion di-ˈflek-shən 

dē-

1

: a turning aside or off course : deviation

2

: the departure of an indicator or pointer from the zero reading on the scale of an instrument

Synonyms

• deviation
• departure

Examples of deflection in a Sentence

measuring the angle of deflection

He scored with a deflection off another player's stick.

Recent Examples on the Web

Last season, Kennedy had 11 tackles for loss, six sacks, two pass deflections and a forced fumble. —Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 27 June 2025

Fifty-fifty balls, deflections, getting in the passing lanes. —Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 21 June 2025

That first leg ended 1-0 — a slim aggregate lead — and in the second leg back on Kiwi soil, the Australians won 2-0 with one of their goals a cruel deflection. —Greg O'Keeffe, New York Times, 21 June 2025

During his first year in New York, Simmons came up with 50 tackles, three pass deflections, and one interception, which went for a touchdown. —Justin Grasso, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1605, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for deflection

• abjection
• advection
• affection
• bijection
• bisection
• collection
• complexion
• confection
• connection
• connexion
• convection
• correction

Medical Definition

deflection

noun

de·​flec·​tion di-ˈflek-shən 

1

: a turning aside or deviation from a straight line

2

: the departure of an indicator or pointer from the zero reading on the scale of an instrument

deflect

di-ˈflekt 

verb