defect

noun de·fect \ ˈdē-ˌfekt , di-ˈ \

|Updated on: 16 Jun 2018

Examples: defect in a Sentence

Definition of defect

1 a : an imperfection that impairs worth or utility : shortcoming

the grave defects in our foreign policy

A defect prevented the DVD from playing properly.

b chemistry : an imperfection (such as a vacancy or an unlike atom) in a crystal lattice (see lattice 2)

2 : a lack of something necessary for completeness, adequacy, or perfection : deficiency

a hearing defect

See defect defined for English-language learners

See defect defined for kids

Examples of defect in a Sentence

They examine their products for defects.
She was born with a heart defect.
Vanity and pride were his two worst character defects.

Recent Examples of defect from the Web

In the past, children with congenital heart defects rarely lived long enough to become pregnant, Fisher said.

— mary carole mccauley, baltimoresun.com, ""Miracle" baby celebrates his first birthday at home," 9 June 2018
Many of the patients at Whiting have been acquitted of crimes by reason of mental disease or defect.

— josh kovner, courant.com, "At Scandalized Whiting Forensic Hospital, A Pivotal Hearing: What You Need To Know," 1 June 2018
In return, defense attorneys agreed to not pursue a defense of mental disease or defect when the case goes to trial.

— tony rizzo and katie bernard, kansascity, "No death penalty for accused killer of KCK police captain," 1 June 2018
As a result, these attempts have resulted in bundles that are filled with structural defects, often perform worse than Kevlar, and are only a few micrometers long.

— john timmer, Ars Technica, "Forget carbon fiber—we can now make carbon nanotube fibers," 15 May 2018
Last month, a Manhattan jury rejected Ortega’s plea of not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect.

— maureen o'connor, The Cut, "Sentenced to Life in Prison, the Nanny Sobs (for Herself)," 14 May 2018
More than 35,000 babies are born each year with congenital heart defects, and a small number require valve replacement.

— alexia elejalde-ruiz, chicagotribune.com, "FDA approves world's smallest mechanical heart valve, made by Abbott, for use in infants and toddlers," 8 Mar. 2018
About 25 percent of babies with congenital heart defects need surgery or other procedures in their first year of life.

— caitlin granfield, miamiherald, "High blood sugar in pregnant women can lead to heart problems in children | Miami Herald," 25 Feb. 2018
In 2017, Goldson was diagnosed with a heart defect and the defender had to undergo major surgery that kept him on the sidelines for the best part of a year.

— SI.com, "Brighton Defender Set to Join Steven Gerrard's Rangers After Difficult Debut Premier League Season," 29 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'defect.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of defect

Middle English, borrowed from Latin dēfectus "failure, absence, lack, weakness," from dēficere "to be lacking, run short, weaken, fail" + -tus, suffix of action nouns — more at deficient

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 2

See Words from the same year

defect Synonyms

Synonyms

blemish, blight, blotch, deformity, disfigurement, excrescence, fault, flaw, imperfection, mar, mark, pockmark, scar;

Near Antonyms

adornment, decoration, embellishment, enhancement, ornament;

bug, glitch, kink;

blot, blur, spot, stain, taint;

damage, defacement, impairment, injury;

failing, weakness;

defect

verb de·fect \ di-ˈfekt \

Definition of defect

intransitive verb

1 : to forsake one cause, party, or nation for another often because of a change in ideology

a former KGB agent who defected to America

2 : to leave one situation (such as a job) often to go over to a rival

the reporter defected to another network

—

defector

play \-ˈfek-tər\ noun

See defect defined for English-language learners

Examples of defect in a Sentence

The Russian scholar defected in 1979.
She defected from the conservative party.
He defected to the West before the war began.
The reporter defected to another TV network.

Recent Examples of defect from the Web

Finally, there’s a Martian marine named Bobbie Draper (Frankie Adams), who defected to Earth after her soldiers were killed by a new breed of protomolecule weapons.

— andrew liptak, The Verge, "Syfy’s The Expanse is back: here’s what you need to know to get caught up," 12 Apr. 2018
Radio Free Europe brought a lot of the news to troops and people who were on the verge of defecting.

— tatiana cirisano, Billboard, "Richie Sambora Talks Bon Jovi Reunion at Rock Hall of Fame: 'Everybody Falls Back Into Place'," 6 Apr. 2018
Ri was apparently referring to a news conference held at South Korea’s National Assembly on Monday by Thae Yong Ho, a former senior North Korean diplomat who defected to the South in 2016.

— Washington Post, "Seoul pushes for successful Trump-Kim talks as North warns," 17 May 2018
Relations may also have been inflamed by Thae Yong Ho, a top North Korean diplomat who defected in 2016 and has been making the media rounds in Seoul in advance of his new book.

— matt stiles, latimes.com, "North Korea postpones talks with South and protests U.S. military exercises," 15 May 2018
But then the Károlyis defected from Romania during an '81 gymnastics tour of the U.S. Under their coaching guidance, Mary Lou Retton went on to win gold in the individual all-around in '84, and her scores helped to lift the team to a silver medal.

— tom taylor, SI.com, "After the Larry Nassar Scandal, Where Does USA Gymnastics Go From Here?," 7 Feb. 2018
But the scandal caused several UMNO leaders to defect to the opposition, including Dr. Mahathir.

— the editorial board, WSJ, "Malaysia’s Democratic Spring," 10 May 2018
Unless, of course, a particular establishment has produced such an instant classic that its patrons threaten to defect if that salad changes or is retired.

— bonnie s. benwick, charlotteobserver, "You don’t need romaine lettuce to make a great chopped salad | Charlotte Observer," 1 May 2018
For decades, loudspeakers have been a fixture along the border, beckoning soldiers to defect to the other side.

— New York Times, "Holstering the K-Pop, South Korea Silences Propaganda at the DMZ," 22 Apr. 2018

Origin and Etymology of defect

borrowed from Latin dēfectus, past participle of dēficere "to be lacking, fail, become disaffected, go over (to the side of an opponent)" — more at deficient

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1596

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

DEFECT Defined for English Language Learners

defect

noun

Definition of defect for English Language Learners

: a physical problem that causes something to be less valuable, effective, healthy, etc.
: something that causes weakness or failure

defect

verb

Definition of defect for English Language Learners

: to leave a country, political party, organization, etc., and go to a different one that is a competitor or an enemy

DEFECT Defined for Kids

defect

noun de·fect \ ˈdē-ˌfekt , di-ˈfekt \

Definition of defect for Students

1 : something that makes a thing imperfect : flaw

A slight defect lowered the diamond's value.

2 : a lack of something needed for perfection

Doctors can correct the hearing defect.

Medical Dictionary

defect

noun de·fect \ ˈdē-ˌfekt , di-ˈ \

medical Definition of defect

: a lack or deficiency of something necessary for adequacy in form or function

a hearing defect

Law Dictionary

defect

noun de·fect \ ˈdē-ˌfekt, di-ˈfekt \

legal Definition of defect

: something or a lack of something that results in incompleteness, inadequacy, or imperfection: as

a : a flaw in something (as a product) especially that creates an unreasonable risk of harm in its normal use — see also latent defect

b : an error or omission in a court document (as an indictment or pleading)

c : some imperfection in the chain of title to property that makes the title unmarketable

—

defective

play \di-ˈfek-tiv\ adjective

—

defectively

adverb

—

defectiveness

noun

Learn More about defect

See words that rhyme with defect Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for defect Spanish Central: Translation of defect Nglish: Translation of defect for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of defect for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about defect

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defect

Definition of defect

Examples of defect in a Sentence

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Origin and Etymology of defect

defect Synonyms

Synonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

defect

Definition of defect

defector

Examples of defect in a Sentence

Recent Examples of defect from the Web

Origin and Etymology of defect

DEFECT Defined for English Language Learners

defect

Definition of defect for English Language Learners

defect

Definition of defect for English Language Learners

DEFECT Defined for Kids

defect

Definition of defect for Students

Medical Dictionary

defect

medical Definition of defect

Law Dictionary

defect

legal Definition of defect

defective

defectively

defectiveness

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