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

The 6-foot-6 DT's first pass deflection led to Cooper DeJean's first career regular-season interception. —Tom Dougherty, CBS News, 19 Nov. 2025

Look at Carter’s pass deflections against the Lions. —Zach Berman, New York Times, 19 Nov. 2025

Philadelphia’s Jordan Davis had three of the deflections. —Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 17 Nov. 2025

There should be no deflections to Epstein or anything else, and any Republicans involved should be focused only on opening up our Country, and fixing the massive damage caused by the Democrats! —Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Nov. 2025

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