defection

noun

de·​fec·​tion di-ˈfek-shən 

: conscious abandonment of allegiance or duty (as to a person, cause, or doctrine) : desertion

Examples of defection in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The operator ended the quarter with 11.8 million video customers, which marked a sequential loss of 325,000 hook-ups and a year-over-year defection of 1.43 million subs. —Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 31 July 2025

The nitty gritty: Republicans hold a 53-47 majority and face united Democratic opposition and the defection of at least two of their members. —Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 2 July 2025

The consequences of a defection can be devastating. —Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 2 July 2025

Republican leaders could not spare any more defections. —Nik Popli, Time, 1 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin dēfectiōn-, dēfectiō "falling short, failure, abandonment of allegiance," from dēficere "to be lacking, fail, become disaffected, go over (to the side of an opponent)" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at deficient

First Known Use

1532, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for defection

• abjection
• advection
• affection
• bijection
• bisection
• collection
• complexion
• confection
• connection
• connexion
• convection
• correction