noun
Uncommon
deflection
dih-FLEHK-shuhn
Deflection (noun) means the act of deflecting, or an instance of something being deflected. Example: “A slight deflection off the defender sent the ball into the net.”
noun
1
The act of deflecting, or an instance of something being deflected.
"A slight deflection off the defender sent the ball into the net."
2
The act of avoiding a question or shifting blame elsewhere.
"His answer was pure deflection — he never addressed the actual complaint."
3
Bending or movement of a structure under a load.
"Engineers measured the beam's deflection under the test weight."
How to use deflection
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA change of direction caused by an impact, or a way of dodging responsibility.
Common pairings
deflection off the post
a tactic of deflection
beam deflection
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Word forms
- Plural
- deflections
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A slight _____ off the defender sent the ball into the net.
Etymology
From Latin dēflexiō, from dēflectere ("to bend away") — the noun form of "deflect."
Related words
Rhymes for deflection
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for deflection →
Frequently asked questions
What does “deflection” mean?
The word “deflection” means the act of deflecting, or an instance of something being deflected. In plain terms, a change of direction caused by an impact, or a way of dodging responsibility.
How do you pronounce “deflection”?
“Deflection” is pronounced dih-FLEHK-shuhn (/dəˈflɛkʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “deflection” in a sentence?
Here is “deflection” used in a sentence: “A slight deflection off the defender sent the ball into the net.”
What part of speech is “deflection”?
“Deflection” is a noun.
Where does the word “deflection” come from?
The word “deflection” comes from Latin. From Latin dēflexiō, from dēflectere ("to bend away") — the noun form of "deflect.".
Is “deflection” a common word?
“Deflection” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “deflection” have?
“Deflection” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the act of deflecting, or an instance of something being deflected.
