defect

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noun de·fect \ ˈdē-ˌfekt , di-ˈ \

Updated on: 11 Sep 2017

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)

[Latin defectus]

: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

The story started with a search for genes that can cause heart defects.

— gretchen vogel, Science | AAAS, "Vitamin B3 could help prevent birth defects," 9 Aug. 2017
A 2017 North Harford High School graduate, who never let the heart defect he was born with hold him back, was killed Monday morning in a car accident in Baltimore County.

— erika butler, The Aegis, "2017 'Mr. North Harford,' 18, killed in car accident," 27 July 2017
Areas in St. Louis county near the Westlake Landfill Superfund site have higher incidence of lupus, rare cancers, neuropathy, and congenital defects than the general population.

— danielle jackson, Longreads, "The St. Louis Suburbs Bear the Cost of America’s Nuclear Past," 15 July 2017
Drawing on the real-life experiences of his great-aunt, Watson tells the story of Miss Jane Chisolm, a woman in rural Mississippi with an isolating and rare birth defect.

— joumana khatib, New York Times, "Paperback Row," 14 July 2017
Congenital heart disease (CHD), the most common type of birth defect, occurs when the heart or blood vessels entering or leaving the heart don't develop normally.

— lara korte, Cincinnati.com, "Adults with congenital heart disease find medical home at Cincinnati Children's," 13 July 2017
A 1-year-old girl from Hebron born with a heart defect who has racked up more than $1 million in hospital bills.

— russell blair, courant.com, "Blumenthal, Murphy Continue Health Care Campaign During Recess," 7 July 2017
Levi, the Syverson’s 6-year-old son adopted from China, was born with a serious heart defect.

— by anne marie hunter, kansascity.com, "Therapeutic horse riding lets equestrians take the reins over their disabilities," 4 July 2017
Last month, Joshua Adam Reese pleaded not guilty by reason of metal disease or defect.

— ivana hrynkiw, AL.com, "Man charged with killing Walker County 19-year-old pleads not guilty," 23 June 2017

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, from Latin defectus lack, from deficere to desert, fail, from de- + facere to do — more at do

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First Known Use: 15th century

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defect Synonyms

defect

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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

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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

Edward Gonzalez, senior soloist, Havana Born, raised and trained in Cuba, Gonzalez defected from the National Ballet of Cuba during a 2013 tour of the United States.

— david lyman, Cincinnati.com, "8 who are new at the Cincinnati Ballet," 5 Aug. 2017
Cafiero said some work for firms run by the North Korean military, working only at night to avoid contact with the outside world, especially South Koreans, out of fear workers may be tempted to defect.

— jon gambrell, The Seattle Times, "Thousands of North Korean laborers in US-allied Gulf nations," 28 July 2017
Cafiero said some work for firms run by the North Korean military, working only at night to avoid contact with the outside world, especially South Koreans, out of fear workers may be tempted to defect.

— Bloomberg.com, "Thousands of North Korean Laborers in US-allied Gulf Nations," 28 July 2017
There was some drama attached to another Brazilian star, Dani Alves, recently defecting from Juventus for PSG.

— craig davis, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Juventus edges Paris Saint Germain on free kick in world-class show at Hard Rock Stadium," 26 July 2017
This particular Stormtrooper had defected and crashed on the desert planet Jakku.

— anna peele, GQ, "John Boyega on Star Wars, Detroit, and Staying Sane with the Help of Robert Downey Jr.," 17 July 2017
Hernandez defected from Cuba in 1995 and signed with the Marlins.

— dan gartland, SI.com, "Former MLB pitcher Livan Hernandez files for bankruptcy," 10 July 2017
Only two Republicans need to defect to kill the bill.

— david z. morris, Fortune, "Republicans Scramble to Shore Up Support for Healthcare Bill," 25 June 2017
That means a maximum of two can defect, and that would require Pence to cast the deciding vote in what would be a 50-50 tie with Senate Democrats.

— Fox News, "ObamaCare Battle: Pro-Trump group previewing attack ads on GOP Senator Heller," 24 June 2017

Origin and Etymology of defect

Latin defectus, past participle of deficere — see ¹defect

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1596

See Words from the same year

DEFECT Defined for English Language Learners

defect

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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defective

play \di-ˈfek-tiv\ adjective

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defectively

adverb

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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

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defector

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DEFECT Defined for English Language Learners

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defect

Definition of defect for English Language Learners

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defect

medical Definition of defect

Law Dictionary

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legal Definition of defect

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