declination

noun

dec·​li·​na·​tion ˌde-klə-ˈnā-shən 

plural declinations

1

: angular distance north or south from the celestial equator measured along a great circle passing through the celestial poles

2

: a turning aside or swerving

3

: deterioration

moral declination

4

: a bending downward : inclination

5

a

: a formal refusal

b

law : a decision by a prosecutor not to pursue an indictment

6

: the angle formed between a magnetic needle and the geographical meridian

declinational

ˌde-klə-ˈnā-shnəl 

-shə-nᵊl

adjective

Synonyms

• decadence
• declension
• decline
• degeneracy
• degeneration
• degradation
• dégringolade
• descent
• deterioration
• devolution
• downfall
• downgrade
• ebb
• eclipse
• fall

Examples of declination in a Sentence

there's been a declination in basic civility in our society

congressional declinations of cabinet appointments have been relatively infrequent, most senators believing that the president is entitled to pick his own advisors

Recent Examples on the Web

That for my purposes, the answers to all the questions are a declination to comment? —Kevin Purdy, Ars Technica, 17 May 2024

City prosecutors who reviewed the case wrote in a declination report that handcuffing the man, Trea Ellinger, 29, was necessary and safe, and was proportionately less force than what officers faced from the man. —Darcy Costello, Baltimore Sun, 15 Apr. 2024

The show offered all three writers new contracts as soon as was allowed after the WGA strike's conclusion, and in the wake of their declination, the show is interviewing new writers and will proceed in compliance with the guild's standards. —Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 4 Oct. 2023

Only about roughly 7 percent of declinations are at prosecutors’ discretion, almost all involving would-be first offenders accused of misdemeanor violations, Graves said. —Emily Davies, Washington Post, 15 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English declinacioun, from Middle French declination, from Latin declination-, declinatio angle of the heavens, turning aside

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

declination

noun

dec·​li·​na·​tion ˌdek-lə-ˈnā-shən 

1

: angular distance north or south from the celestial equator measured along a great circle passing through the celestial poles

the declination of a star

2

: a bending downward : inclination

3

: the angle that the magnetic needle makes with a true north and south line