flexion

noun

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flex·ion | \ ˈflek-shən

Definition of flexion

1 : the act of flexing or bending

2 : a part bent : bend

3 : inflection sense 2

4a : a bending movement around a joint in a limb (such as the knee or elbow) that decreases the angle between the bones of the limb at the joint — compare extension sense 3b

b : a forward raising of the arm or leg by a movement at the shoulder or hip joint

Examples of flexion in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Hinge joints operate in one plane of motion—the sagittal plane—allowing back-and-forth movement like flexion (curling a dumbbell) and extension (like straightening your leg out in front of you while seated). — Elizabeth Millard, SELF, 1 June 2021 Previously, Goldberg and I identified six critical error types a flat map can have: local shapes, areas, distances, flexion (bending), skewness (lopsidedness) and boundary cuts. — J. Richard Gott, Scientific American, 17 Feb. 2021 His route looks bent on a Mercator map—a flexion error. — J. Richard Gott, Scientific American, 17 Feb. 2021 Langford’s design is a perfect flexion of the club’s vibe, screen printed on black heavy canvas. — Tracy Swartz, chicagotribune.com, 20 Nov. 2020 Traditional abs work uses movement to challenge your core, often through flexion, like with crunches. — Amy Marturana Winderl, SELF, 5 Sep. 2020 This move opposes the forward flexion of bike posture by increasing strength and mobility throughout your upper back and shoulder complex. — Dana Santas, CNN, 17 Aug. 2020 The Swing phase starts with rapid hip, knee, and ankle flexion to clear the foot from the ground, the knee then rapidly extends to prepare for the next step. — Popular Science, 22 May 2020 Unlike a hinge joint that moves only (for the most part) forward and backward, like the knee, the shape of the ball-and-socket joint in the hip allows for flexion, extension, internal and external rotation, abduction, and adduction. — SELF, 22 Feb. 2019

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

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Last Updated

11 Jun 2021

Cite this Entry

“Flexion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flexion. Accessed 22 Jun. 2021.

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More Definitions for flexion

flexion

noun

flex·ion

variants: also flection \ ˈflek-shən

Medical Definition of flexion

1 : a bending movement around a joint in a limb (as the knee or elbow) that decreases the angle between the bones of the limb at the joint — compare extension sense 2

2 : a forward raising of the arm or leg by a movement at the shoulder or hip joint