declination

noun

dec·​li·​na·​tion ˌde-klə-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce declination (audio)
plural declinations
1
: angular distance north or south from the celestial equator measured along a great circle passing through the celestial poles
2
: a turning aside or swerving
3
: deterioration
moral declination
4
: a bending downward : inclination
5
a
: a formal refusal
b
law : a decision by a prosecutor not to pursue an indictment
6
: the angle formed between a magnetic needle and the geographical meridian
declinational adjective

Examples of declination in a Sentence

there's been a declination in basic civility in our society congressional declinations of cabinet appointments have been relatively infrequent, most senators believing that the president is entitled to pick his own advisors
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Red and declinations to rust and burgundy at Ferragamo and Bottega Veneta. WWD, 3 Sep. 2019 Thomas said the sheriff's office presented the case to the district attorney's office for declination purposes only because of Suff's prior convictions and death sentence. Tim Stelloh, NBC News, 15 Aug. 2024 Another obvious theme is the conversation around the past feminist female identity and the different declinations of such identity in the present. Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 Aug. 2024 That for my purposes, the answers to all the questions are a declination to comment? Kevin Purdy, Ars Technica, 17 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for declination 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English declinacioun, from Middle French declination, from Latin declination-, declinatio angle of the heavens, turning aside

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

Dictionary Entries Near declination

Cite this Entry

“Declination.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/declination. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

declination

noun
dec·​li·​na·​tion ˌdek-lə-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce declination (audio)
1
: angular distance north or south from the celestial equator measured along a great circle passing through the celestial poles
the declination of a star
2
: a bending downward : inclination
3
: the angle that the magnetic needle makes with a true north and south line

More from Merriam-Webster on declination

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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