From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishdeviationde‧vi‧a‧tion /ˌdiːviˈeɪʃən/ ●○○ AWL noun 1 [countable, uncountable]NORMAL# a noticeable difference from what is expected or acceptabledeviation from deviation from the normal procedure2 [countable]SGHMHMSG technical the difference between a number or measurement in a set and the average of all the numbers or measurements in that set → standard deviation
Examples from the Corpus
deviation• Some even feared deviation from their own narrow path, as if deviants were excluded from heaven or segregated.• A closer examination of the Celtic Church reveals a much greater deviation from Rome than is generally acknowledged or even known.• The result: a 42 percent increase in productivity and a 70 percent decrease in errors or deviations.• That is, that line which minimizes the sum of squared deviations from the line. 4.• To counteract this deviation from academic detachment, an experiment in consultation was conducted.deviation from• Midwives consult with a doctor if there is any deviation from normality during the birth.From Longman Business Dictionarydeviationde‧vi‧a‧tion /ˌdiːviˈeɪʃən/ noun1[countable, uncountable] a noticeable difference from what is expected or acceptableAny deviation in the current inflation rate could send stocks sharply up or down.deviation fromThe sudden rise in market prices was an unexpected deviation from the norm.2[countable]STATISTICS a difference between a number or measurement in a set and the average of all the numbers or measurements in that set → standard deviation 