Subscriber login


Forgot your password?

Library card login

Other

deviation

Translate deviation | into German | into Italian | into Spanish
Definition of deviation

noun

[mass noun]
  • 1the action of departing from an established course or accepted standard:deviation from a norm sexual deviation [count noun]:deviations from Standard English
  • 2 Statistics the amount by which a single measurement differs from a fixed value such as the mean: a significant deviation from the average value
  • 3the deflection of a ship’s compass needle caused by iron in the ship.

Derivatives

deviationism

noun

deviationist

noun

deviational

adjective

Origin:

late Middle English: via French from medieval Latin deviatio(n-), from Latin deviare (see deviate)

deviation in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of deviation in the US English dictionary
  |  Cite
Oxford Dictionaries Pro

For Oxford's best resources for writers, plus thesaurus, audio, and 1.9m examples.

Shop for an Oxford dictionary

Find the perfect Oxford dictionary for you in our online shop.
SHOP NOW ►

Word of the day

cur

/ kəː /
noun
an aggressive or unkempt dog …