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

One of the primary roles of the rectus abdominis is forward flexion, or drawing your upper body forward (such as in a crunch). —Sohaib Imtiaz, Verywell Health, 14 Mar. 2025

Toe Walks Move Type: Mobility or Strength Toe walks help warm up your muscles in the calf and those through your feet and prime your ankles for plantar flexion. —Alyssa Ages, Outside Online, 28 Feb. 2025

Yoga poses that focus on putting the spine in flexion or a forward bending movement should be avoided. —Cory Martin, Verywell Health, 3 Feb. 2025

Poses to Avoid Most people with sciatica experience increased pain with spinal flexion or when bending forward. —Cory Martin, Verywell Health, 3 Feb. 2025

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

Rhymes for flexion

• lection
• rection
• section
• abjection
• advection
• affection
• bijection
• bisection
• collection
• complexion
• confection
• connection

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