# deflection

/dɪˈfɫɛkʃən/ (US) · /dɪflˈɛkʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/deflection
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. changing physical direction

noun · CEFR B2

when something hits an object and moves off in a different direction.

For teachers: the act of turning aside or deviating from a straight line or intended course, typically after impact.

- The goalkeeper was beaten by a cruel deflection off his own defender.
- The bullet's deflection upon hitting the metal casing made it impossible for investigators to determine the shooter's original vantage point.

### 2. avoiding a topic or blame

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic

a way of avoiding a question or criticism by talking about something else or blaming another person.

For teachers: a psychological or rhetorical tactic used to redirect focus away from one's own actions, culpability, or a specific line of questioning.

- When asked about the budget cuts, the politician used deflection to talk about the previous government.
- The therapist noted that the patient used humor as a form of deflection whenever the conversation turned toward his childhood trauma.

### 3. bending under weight

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

the amount that a structure, like a beam or bridge, bends when it carries a heavy load.

For teachers: the degree to which a structural element is displaced or deformed under a specific load.

- The engineers measured the deflection of the floor to ensure it could support the new machinery.
- Excessive deflection in the steel girders indicated that the bridge was nearing its maximum weight capacity.

### 4. chess tactic

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a move in chess that forces an opponent's piece to move away from a square it is protecting.

For teachers: a tactical maneuver that forces an opposing piece to leave a square, rank, or file it occupies, thereby exposing a more valuable piece.

- He won the game by using a deflection to pull the queen away from the king.
- The grandmaster executed a brilliant deflection, sacrificing a knight to lure the defender away from the critical f7 square.

## Examples

- The goalkeeper's deflection saved the game.
- When asked about the budget cuts, the politician used deflection by talking about the previous administration's mistakes.
- The satellite's trajectory required a minor deflection to avoid the debris field, necessitating a precise burn of the secondary thrusters.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.