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

In either, a defection of five Republicans would sink the effort. —Isabella Volmert, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2025

Despite a $50 million bounty for Maduro’s arrest, no defections have occurred within his inner circle, which analysts say is shielded by corruption and fear of prosecution. —Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025

The eighth previous champion pre-entered is Nobals, who captured the 2023 Turf Sprint but has been a bit off form recently and will need some defections to get into the race. —Jay Posner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Oct. 2025

Roseman, one of the NFL’s top general managers who had just completed perhaps his finest offseason, prepared for potential defections and needed to prioritize. —Zach Berman, New York Times, 17 Oct. 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