1. A characteristic likelihood of or natural disposition toward a certain condition or character or effect
   "the alkaline inclination of the local waters";
   - tendency
    
2. An attitude of mind especially one that favours one alternative over others
   "he had an inclination to give up too easily";
   - disposition, tendency
    
3. That toward which you are inclined to feel a liking
   "her inclination is for classical music"
    
4. The property possessed by a line or surface that departs from the vertical
   "he walked with a heavy inclination to the right";
   - tilt, list, lean, leaning
    
5. (geometry) the angle formed by the x-axis and a given line (measured counterclockwise from the positive half of the x-axis)
   "The angle of inclination of the ramp was crucial for wheelchair accessibility";
   - angle of inclination
    
6. (physics) the angle that a magnetic needle makes with the plane of the horizon
   "Navigators must account for the angle of magnetic inclination when using a magnetic compass near the poles";
   - dip, angle of dip, magnetic dip, magnetic inclination
    
7. (astronomy) the angle between the plane of the orbit and the plane of the ecliptic stated in degrees
   "The inclination of an orbit affects how much time a satellite spends over different parts of Earth";
   - inclination of an orbit
    
8. The act of inclining; bending forward
   "an inclination of his head indicated his agreement";
   - inclining

Derived forms: inclinations

Type of: angle, attitude, disposition, liking, mental attitude, motility, motion, move, movement, position, spatial relation

Antonym: disinclination

Encyclopedia: Inclination