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

Races for the office tend to be sleepy affairs, but this year’s contest has featured last-minute entrants, a whopping influx of cash and defections among the incumbent’s key supporters. —Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2026

Tuesday’s primary results add emphasis to a GOP defection. —Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 20 May 2026

Democrats in both chambers are vowing to press on and Republican defections are gradually growing in each chamber. —Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 18 May 2026

Secretary of State Marco Rubio also agreed to testify to Congress as the administration worked to stave off defections. —Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026

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