To deflect means to cause something to bounce off or change direction instead of hitting its target directly. A knight's shield deflects an enemy's sword, sending the blade harmlessly to the side. A hockey goalie deflects the puck with their stick, preventing a goal. When light hits a mirror, it deflects at an angle, which is why you can see your reflection.

The word also describes avoiding a question or topic by redirecting attention elsewhere. When a student deflects their teacher's question about missing homework by suddenly asking about the upcoming field trip, they're trying to steer the conversation away from an uncomfortable subject. Politicians sometimes deflect tough questions by talking about completely different topics instead.

Deflection is the noun form. You might notice the deflection of a basketball off the rim, or recognize when someone uses deflection to dodge responsibility. A talented debater knows how to deflect weak arguments, while someone caught making a mistake might try to deflect blame onto someone else.

The key idea is redirection: whether it's a physical object bouncing away or a conversation shifting course, something that was heading one way suddenly goes another.