flexion

noun

flex·​ion ˈflek-shən 

1

: the act of flexing or bending

2

: a part bent : bend

3

: inflection sense 2

4

a

: a bending movement around a joint in a limb (such as the knee or elbow) that decreases the angle between the bones of the limb at the joint compare extension sense 3b

b

: a forward raising of the arm or leg by a movement at the shoulder or hip joint

Examples of flexion in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Landing on skate edges, absorbing the impact of the jump with proper knee flexion and having the balance to seamlessly begin a skating move, is incredibly difficult. —Fluto Shinzawa, The Athletic, 21 Nov. 2024

Your calves help bend your knees and are responsible for lifting the heel, a movement called plantar flexion (think of toeing when rock climbing). —Hayden Carpenter, Outside Online, 19 Nov. 2024

Players filled out questionnaires about performance measures like ankle mobility, neck flexion and pressing power. —Daniel Popper, The Athletic, 2 Apr. 2024

The test assesses the flexibility of seven different joints using 20 movements, such as extension and flexion of the knee, hip, trunk, wrist, and shoulder. —Sarah Garone, Health, 5 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin flexiōn-, flexiō "act of bending or curving," from flectere "to cause to go in a different direction, bend, curve" (of uncertain origin) + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action

First Known Use

1615, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

flexion

noun

flex·​ion ˈflek-shən 

: a bending movement around a joint (as the knee or elbow) in an arm or leg that lessens the angle between bones of the arm or leg at the joint

also : the resulting state

Medical Definition

flexion

noun

flex·​ion

variants also flection

ˈflek-shən 

1

: a bending movement around a joint in a limb (as the knee or elbow) that decreases the angle between the bones of the limb at the joint compare extension sense 2

2

: a forward raising of the arm or leg by a movement at the shoulder or hip joint