The meaning of DEVIATION is an act or instance of deviating. How to use deviation in a sentence.

DEVIATION definition: the act of deviating. See examples of deviation used in a sentence.

The deviation of a value of x is the difference between it and the mean of the sample. Each deviation is then squared.

Definition of deviation noun in Oxford Advanced American Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

Divergence from an accepted idea, policy, or norm of behavior: "Freud, as the leader of a powerful new movement, could not bear much deviation from his own central ideas" (Joseph Epstein).

There are 12 meanings listed in OED's entry for the noun deviation, three of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

de•vi•a•tion /ˌdiviˈeɪʃən/ n. [uncountable] behavior that differs or departs from what is considered and accepted as normal or standard esp. with regard to sexual behavior. a change:[countable] Some …

DEVIATION meaning: 1 : an action, behavior, or condition that is different from what is usual or expected; 2 : the difference between the average of a group of numbers and a particular number in …

Deviation means doing something that is different from what people consider to be normal or acceptable. Deviation from the norm is not tolerated.

Jan 18, 2026 · deviation (countable and uncountable, plural deviations) The act of deviating; wandering off the correct or true path or road.