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

Johnson can only afford to lose three defections if all members are voting and present. —Allison Pecorin, ABC News, 30 June 2025

Republicans hold a 53-seat majority and can only afford three GOP defections on the bill to still pass it with a tie-breaking vote from Vice President Vance. —The Hill Staff, The Hill, 27 June 2025

So far, there have been no signs of major defections from the country’s political leadership, and most Iranians are focused on trying to seek safety amid daily bombing raids from Israel, said Karim Sadjadpour, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. —Dan De Luce, NBC news, 18 June 2025

And while virtual MVPDs are doing their bit to offset at least some of those cable/satellite/telco-TV defections, the arrows are still pointing downward. —Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 13 June 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