deviation

noun

de·​vi·​a·​tion ˌdē-vē-ˈā-shən How to pronounce deviation (audio)
: an act or instance of deviating: such as
a
navigation : deflection of the needle of a compass caused by local magnetic influences (as in a ship)
b
mathematics : the difference between a value in a frequency distribution and a fixed number (such as the mean)
c
: departure from an established ideology or party line
deviation from Communist orthodoxy
d
: noticeable or marked departure from accepted norms (see norm sense 2) of behavior
deviationist noun or adjective

Examples of deviation in a Sentence

There have been slight deviations in the satellite's orbit. Having juice instead of coffee was a deviation from his usual routine. The pattern's deviation from the norm is significant.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
There may be slight deviations from the podcast audio. Amanda Luberto, The Arizona Republic, 20 Nov. 2024 Near the beginning of the film, Dylan meets Guthrie in his grim hospital room, where, in one of the film’s deviations from fact, Norton’s Seeger happens to be already visiting. Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 18 Nov. 2024 Conversely, there is probably precious little deviation in the reaction among viewers upon reaching that realization: pure, unbridled glee. Joe Berkowitz, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2024 The piece allowed its wearer to physically interact with the movement via a performance indicator on the dial (triggered by a button and expressed as deviations in seconds). Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 3 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for deviation 

Word History

Etymology

see deviate entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of deviation was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near deviation

Cite this Entry

“Deviation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deviation. Accessed 6 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

deviation

noun
de·​vi·​a·​tion ˌdē-vē-ˈā-shən How to pronounce deviation (audio)
: an act or instance of deviating: as
a
: the difference found by subtracting some fixed number (as the arithmetic mean of a series of statistical data) from any item of the series
b
: noticeable difference from accepted standards (as of behavior or morals)

Medical Definition

deviation

noun
de·​vi·​a·​tion ˌdē-vē-ˈā-shən How to pronounce deviation (audio)
: an act or instance of diverging from an established way or in a new direction: as
a
: evolutionary differentiation involving interpolation of new stages in the ancestral pattern of morphogenesis
b
: noticeable or marked departure from accepted norms of behavior

More from Merriam-Webster on deviation

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!