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
Presenting their findings in a lengthy declination memo, the prosecutors explicitly mentioned the two other investigations to bolster their recommendation that probable cause does not exist to charge Comey, according to sources familiar with the contents of the memo.
—
Katherine Faulders, ABC News, 6 Oct. 2025
On those three dates, variations in the moon's position relative to Earth's equator — particularly its declination — can influence tidal forces that subtly affect Earth's rotation rate.
—Jamie Carter, Space.com, 5 Aug. 2025
Where corporate criminal investigations resolve without filing any criminal charges (through a declination or deferred prosecution agreement), companies should expect victims to still voice their views loudly to the Justice Department and beyond.
—Lisa Zornberg, Forbes.com, 21 May 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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Katherine Faulders, ABC News, 6 Oct. 2025
On those three dates, variations in the moon's position relative to Earth's equator — particularly its declination — can influence tidal forces that subtly affect Earth's rotation rate.
—Jamie Carter, Space.com, 5 Aug. 2025
Where corporate criminal investigations resolve without filing any criminal charges (through a declination or deferred prosecution agreement), companies should expect victims to still voice their views loudly to the Justice Department and beyond.
—Lisa Zornberg, Forbes.com, 21 May 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 29 Oct. 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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