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
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
The sun's changing declination is what determines whether the sun's rays strike us at a low angle or more directly.
—
Joe Rao, Space.com, 6 Feb. 2025
The changing declination also defines the daily arc that the sun takes across the sky, thereby accounting for the length of daylight.
—Joe Rao, Space.com, 6 Feb. 2025
In contrast, during 2016-16 the lunar declination varied from only 18.5 degrees north to 18.5 degrees south.
—Joe Rao, Space.com, 7 Feb. 2025
Thomas said the sheriff's office presented the case to the district attorney's office for declination purposes only because of Suff's prior convictions and death sentence.
—Tim Stelloh, NBC News, 15 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for declination
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Joe Rao, Space.com, 6 Feb. 2025
The changing declination also defines the daily arc that the sun takes across the sky, thereby accounting for the length of daylight.
—Joe Rao, Space.com, 6 Feb. 2025
In contrast, during 2016-16 the lunar declination varied from only 18.5 degrees north to 18.5 degrees south.
—Joe Rao, Space.com, 7 Feb. 2025
Thomas said the sheriff's office presented the case to the district attorney's office for declination purposes only because of Suff's prior convictions and death sentence.
—Tim Stelloh, NBC News, 15 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for declination
Cite this Entry
“Declination.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/declination. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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