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

Sané scored off a short pass from Havertz, a diagonal shot between the legs of Miles Robinson that appeared to take a slight deflection off the defender and beat goalkeeper Matt Freese to the far post. —CBS News, 6 June 2026

Rookie safety Louis Moore had a deflection of a Cam Miller pass. —Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 4 June 2026

The metrics leaders can access—deflection rates, handle times, cost per ticket—measure the company's operational efficiency. —Cindy Rodriguez Constable, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026

On Chawinga’s breakthrough goal, she was positioned well for a deflection off Boston’s keeper. —Jeff Rosen, Kansas City Star, 30 May 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