noun

die Abweichung, -en

deviation

Ein Unterschied zu dem, was erwartet oder festgelegt war.

Definition & meaning

The term "Abweichung" refers to a difference, divergence, or departure from a norm, a standard, a rule, or an expected value. It describes the state of something being different from what was anticipated or what is considered typical.

In technical, mathematical, or statistical contexts, it specifically refers to the numerical distance between a measured value and a mean or target value (e.g., standard deviation). In social or legal contexts, it implies a departure from established procedures, paths, or behaviors.

Grammar & Word origin

"Abweichung" is a feminine noun. Its plural form is "Abweichungen".

The word is a nominalization of the German verb abweichen , which means "to deviate" or "to differ." It consists of several parts:

ab-: A prefix indicating "away from" or "off."
weichen: A verb originally meaning "to yield," "to move," or "to retreat."
-ung: A suffix used to transform a verb into a noun, usually representing a process, a state, or the result of an action.