deflection

noun de·flec·tion \ di-ˈflek-shən , dē- \

Updated on: 9 May 2018

Definition of deflection

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

See deflection defined for English-language learners

Examples of deflection in a Sentence

measuring the angle of deflection
He scored with a deflection off another player's stick.

Recent Examples of deflection from the Web

James showed no ill-effects in his return from injury last season, leading FSU with 11 pass deflections, and finishing second on the team with 85 total tackles.

— safid deen, OrlandoSentinel.com, "NFL Draft: FSU's Derwin James determined to show Chargers were right to draft him at No. 17," 27 Apr. 2018
Years of deception and deflection will catch up with any company that profits from harming animals and attempts to pull the (cruelly produced) wool over its customers’ eyes.

— anne brainard, Fortune, "Commentary: Companies Love to Say Their Products Are ‘Humane.’ Most Are Far From It.," 24 Apr. 2018
The Thunder hustles like crazy to be league leaders in deflections, 50/50 balls, offensive rebounds and created turnovers.

— paul coro, latimes.com, "NBA playoff preview: Watch out, Warriors — Rockets look like team to beat," 13 Apr. 2018
Bonilla's initial shot was stopped before a deflection went in for an own goal that gave the Tigers a 3-0 lead.

— justin maskulinski, Houston Chronicle, "Conroe in regional final for first time since 1997," 13 Apr. 2018
Up went the frequency of deflections, charges, collisions.

— dan greene, SI.com, "Villanova's Dominance Proves the Power of a Well-Built Program," 3 Apr. 2018
Additionally, the Thunder lead the NBA in deflections per game, turnovers forced per possession and recoveries of loose balls per game.

— ira winderman, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Heat Game Day: Miami Heat at Oklahoma City Thunder," 23 Mar. 2018
Carter injected life into the Kings with an equally adept deflection on Derek Forbort's shot 28 seconds before the first intermission, as Coyotes defenseman Kevin Connauton tried to get him out of the slot.

— curtis zupke, latimes.com, "Jeff Carter and Kings have the hot hand in win over Coyotes," 30 Mar. 2018
There has to be the same effort as the FSU game in the ACC Tournament, with deflections and tap-outs, to avoid giving up second-chance points.

— jeff greer, The Courier-Journal, "3 things to watch in Louisville basketball's Sunday NIT game vs. Middle Tennessee," 17 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'deflection.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of deflection

1605

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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deflection Synonyms

DEFLECTION Defined for English Language Learners

deflection

noun

Definition of deflection for English Language Learners

: the act of changing or causing something to change direction

Medical Dictionary

deflection

noun de·flec·tion \ di-ˈflek-shən \

medical Definition of deflection

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

play \di-ˈflekt\ verb

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deflection

Definition of deflection

Examples of deflection in a Sentence

Recent Examples of deflection from the Web

First Known Use of deflection

deflection Synonyms

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DEFLECTION Defined for English Language Learners

deflection

Definition of deflection for English Language Learners

Medical Dictionary

deflection

medical Definition of deflection

deflect

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