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

New Jersey's Nico Daws was perfect until Pavel Dorofeyev scored a deflection goal on a power play in the third and finished with 18 saves. — CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026

Galoppo scored in the 42nd minute, knocking in a deflection for a 2-0 lead at halftime. — ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026

But at a time when distrust in the news media continues to rise, deflections like this can damage the credibility of mainstream, nonpartisan American journalism. — Max Tani, semafor.com, 12 Oct. 2026

Suarez controlled the deflection and lobbed a cross to Messi, who tapped it past Johnson. — Miami Herald, 11 Oct. 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