What does deflection mean?
Word: Deflection
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: Deflection means the act of making something, such as a ball or a beam of light, suddenly change direction, often because it has struck something else.
How do you spell deflection?
Syllables: de - flec - tion
Tricky part: The first syllable is often said like 'di', so many pupils write diflection. The word begins with de.
Watch out for: diflection, dyflection
Memory tip: The prefix de- often means 'away from', and a deflection sends something away from its path, so start with de, never di.
Deflection in a sentence
Example 1: Our science teacher used a magnet to show the deflection of a compass needle.
Example 2: A gust of wind caused a sudden deflection in the path of Leo's paper aeroplane.
Example 3: The tennis ball took a deflection off the top of the net and dropped on Anika's side.
Fun Fact
In engineering, deflection also means how far a beam or a bridge bends when a load is placed on it, and designers set strict limits on it.
Practise the CREST Way
Spell Spies
Choose the incorrectly spelt word:
a) defflection
b) affection
c) inspection
d) correction
Show answer
a) defflection. Affection doubles its f, which tempts writers to do the same here, but the word for a change of direction has only one.
Spell Probe
Find the misspelt word in the sentence and choose its meaning:
In the last minute of the hockey match, Mia's pass struck a stick, and the deflecsion sent the ball into the goal.
a) a frame with a net that the ball must enter to score
b) a sudden turn off course, as when a moving object glances off something
c) a move that sends the ball to a teammate
d) a game played between two teams
Show answer
b) a sudden turn off course, as when a moving object glances off something. The misspelt word should end in -ction; it names the ball's change of course off the stick.
Word Tally
Each word has one letter missing. How many of them are missing the letter 'e'?
deflction, gravty, frictin, momntum, enrgy
a) 4
b) 2
c) 3
d) 1
Show answer
c) 3. Deflection, momentum and energy have each lost an e; gravity is missing an i and friction an o.
Word Champ
In which option are the given words arranged in alphabetical order?
1. deflection 2. deflate 3. defend 4. deflect
a) 3241
b) 3214
c) 2341
d) 3421
Show answer
a) 3241. Defend comes first because its fourth letter is e; deflate's a beats deflect's e, and deflect, being shorter, goes before deflection.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. In which sport would a commentator be most likely to talk about a deflection?
a) swimming
b) football
c) chess
d) weightlifting
Show answer
b) football
2. Which word is closest in meaning to deflection in 'A tiny deflection off the post carried the ball wide'?
a) catch
b) throw
c) swerve
d) pause
Show answer
c) swerve
