Definition of deviation

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de·vi·a·tion    (dv-shn) KEY 

NOUN:

1. The act of deviating or turning aside.
2. An abnormality; a departure: "Vice was a deviation from our nature" (Henry Fielding).
3. Deviant behavior or attitudes.
4. Divergence from an accepted political policy or party line.
5. Deflection of a compass needle caused by local magnetic influence, especially on a ship.
6. Statistics The difference, especially the absolute difference, between one number in a set and the mean of the set.

OTHER FORMS:
devi·ation·ism(Noun), devi·ation·ist(Adjective)(Noun)

SYNONYMS:
deviation, aberration, divergence

These nouns mean a departure from what is prescribed or expected: tolerates no deviation from the rules; regretted the aberrations of my adolescence; the divergence of two cultures.