flexion

noun flex·ion \ ˈflek-shən \

Definition of flexion

1 : the act of flexing or bending

2 : a part bent : bend

3 : inflection 3

4 a : 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 3b

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

See flexion defined for kids

Recent Examples of flexion from the Web

Pelvic tilt, 5-10 reps This movement opens up the spine with a gentle flexion and extension motion.

— NBC News, "To make your day better, stay in bed longer. Really.," 12 Jan. 2018
Any persistent pain over 2 weeks should be checked up; and any laxity >0.5cm joint opening (at 30⁰ knee flexion) probably warrants a professional assessment for confirmation.

— SI.com, "Injury Analysis: Everything You Need to Know About Marouane Fellaini’s Knee Injury in 1 Minute," 14 Oct. 2017
Clients perform several critical movements including deep squat, shoulder mobility, hip flexion (stepping over an object), inline lunge step, trunk stability, hamstring flexibility, impingement exams, and so on.

— steve massimini, Philly.com, "Do you exercise with 'clean' movement patterns? Here's how to test yourself," 30 Sep. 2017
When warming up on the field before Sunday’s game, Bradford was seen with a slight flexion contracture (knee doesn’t straighten all the way), limp and favoring the knee.

— profootballdoc, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Making sense of Mike Zimmer's assessment of Sam Bradford," 17 Sep. 2017
Neave’s team had looked at only 19 dancing subjects (with 37 women rating them), while measuring dozens of variables that ranged from the variability in flexion of the left shoulder to the external rotation speed of the right ankle.

— daniel engber, Slate Magazine, "Why did the New York Times fall for a dubious study on what makes women great dancers?," 14 Feb. 2017
The data is fed into a computer to create 3-D images that let STI examine stress on joints and ankle flexion.

— wired staff, WIRED, "Thrashing Out Skatewear," 1 June 2006

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.

Origin and Etymology of flexion

borrowed from Latin flexiōn-, flexiō "act of bending or curving," from flectere "to cause to go in a different direction, bend, curve" (of uncertain origin) + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1615

See Words from the same year

Medical Dictionary

flexion

noun flex·ion

variants: also flection play \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 2

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