The sign of the deviation reports the direction of that difference: the deviation is positive when the observed value exceeds the reference value. The absolute value of the deviation indicates the size or magnitude of the difference. In a given sample, there are as many deviations as sample points.
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).
Definition of deviation noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. [uncountable, countable] deviation (from something) the act of moving away from what most people consider normal or acceptable; a difference from what is expected or acceptable. This is a deviation from the original plan.
Discover everything about the word "DEVIATION" in English: meanings, translations, synonyms, pronunciations, examples, and grammar insights - all in one comprehensive guide.
Illustrated definition of Deviation: In general: how far from the normal In statistics: the difference between a single value and the mean of all values...
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 deviations from the regular readings on the compass were due to the presence of metal objects. See -via-. de•vi•a•tion (dē′vē ā′ shən), n.
