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

Artists defections became common, cancellations continued to add up and the center lost the Washington National Opera, which had occupied the venue since 1971. —Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2026

Unlike the House’s reconciliation process, the Senate is a more delicate balancing act between a marathon voting session where Democrats try to exploit defections and the chamber’s parliamentarian, who acts as a referee for which policies may be excluded. —Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 9 June 2026

If all House members are voting and present – which is unlikely – House Speaker Mike Johnson can afford three GOP defections. —ABC News, 8 June 2026

That was followed by seven GOP defections on a Democratic amendment blocking public and private funding for the president’s East Wing renovation without congressional authorization. —Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 4 June 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