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

There may be slight deviations from the podcast audio. —Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 28 Oct. 2024

With this baseline in place, any deviation—no matter how subtle—can be quickly flagged as suspicious. —Sameer Malhotra, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024

The deviations can be caused by trading patterns or the timing of distributions. —Jesse Pound, CNBC, 25 Oct. 2024

Advanced software and precision electronics analyze and self-correct for any unintended flight deviation, including external factors such as wind. —Toby Rose, Parents, 24 Oct. 2024

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

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