flexion

noun

flex·​ion ˈflek-shən How to pronounce flexion (audio)
1
: the act of flexing or bending
2
: a part bent : bend
3
: inflection sense 2
4
a
: a bending movement around a joint in a limb (such as the knee or elbow) that decreases the angle between the bones of the limb at the joint compare extension sense 3b
b
: a forward raising of the arm or leg by a movement at the shoulder or hip joint

Examples of flexion in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
At the end of the trial, the exercise group showed greater improvements in the side-step and sitting trunk flexion tests than the control group. — Lindsey Leake, NBC news, 29 Apr. 2026 Research has linked weaker big-toe flexion strength—your ability to press the toe firmly into the ground—to poorer balance and higher fall risk. — Angela Haupt, Time, 5 May 2026 The team enabled real-time perception of both flexion and side-to-side movement in delicate manipulation tasks. — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 3 Apr. 2026 The anatomy of the wrist is responsible for the high susceptibility to nerve pain with repetitive hand motions that require wrist flexion. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 5 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for flexion

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin flexiōn-, flexiō "act of bending or curving," from flectere "to cause to go in a different direction, bend, curve" (of uncertain origin) + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action

First Known Use

1615, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of flexion was in 1615

Rhymes for flexion

See All Rhymes for flexion

Browse Nearby Words

flexile
flexion
flexitarian
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Flexion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flexion. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

flexion

noun
flex·​ion ˈflek-shən How to pronounce flexion (audio)
: a bending movement around a joint (as the knee or elbow) in an arm or leg that lessens the angle between bones of the arm or leg at the joint
also : the resulting state

Medical Definition

flexion

noun
flex·​ion
variants also flection
ˈflek-shən How to pronounce flexion (audio)
1
: a bending movement around a joint in a limb (as the knee or elbow) that decreases the angle between the bones of the limb at the joint compare extension sense 2
2
: a forward raising of the arm or leg by a movement at the shoulder or hip joint

More from Merriam-Webster on flexion

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about flexion

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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