deviation

noun

de·​vi·​a·​tion ˌdē-vē-ˈā-shən 

: 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

deviationism

ˌdē-vē-ˈā-shə-ˌni-zəm 

noun

deviationist

ˌdē-vē-ˈā-sh(ə-)nist 

noun or adjective

Synonyms

• deflection
• departure
• detour
• divagation
• divergence
• divergency
• diversion

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

For example, just as a bell ringing slightly out of tune might indicate a crack or imperfection, deviations in gravitational wave frequencies can point to asymmetries in the black hole's shape. —Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 30 Apr. 2025

The case marks the first time Newsom has taken a lead role in any of the now 15 lawsuits that California has filed against the current Trump administration, signaling a deviation from his more reserved approach to the president during Trump’s second term. —George Skelton, Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 2025

Activate real-time monitoring to continuously analyze and detect any deviations or anomalies, like unusual file access or unexpected network connections, ensuring swift identification of potential threats. —Maxwell Alles, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025

An ideology condemns any deviation from its prescribed rules. —Matt Richtel, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see deviate entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing deviation

• mean deviation
• mean square deviation
• standard deviation

Rhymes for deviation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

deviation

noun

de·​vi·​a·​tion ˌdē-vē-ˈā-shən 

: 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 

: 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