deflection

noun

de·​flec·​tion di-ˈflek-shən 

dē-

1

: the act of changing or causing to change direction

2

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

Synonyms of deflection

• 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

Craig threw a pass to sophomore slot receiver Ed Small that was tightly contested, and the ball floated in the air off a deflection, landing in the hands of redshirt junior safety Jordan Lester. — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Aug. 2026

Harvey accumulated 121 total tackles, four picks, 28 passes deflections as well as forced and recovered a pair of fumbles. — Miami Herald, 7 Aug. 2026

The cycles of illness and deflection at Taylor Farms illustrate a larger problem in the American food safety system, the experts said, which overwhelmingly relies on companies to self-police the cleanliness of their own produce. — Yahya Abou-Ghazala, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026

Rookie defensive tackle Anthony Campbell continued to turn heads with pass deflections and a sack, while John Williams, returning from injury, proved his versatility across the offensive line. — Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1665, 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