defection

noun de·fec·tion \ di-ˈfek-shən \

Updated on: 28 Feb 2018

Definition of defection

: conscious abandonment of allegiance or duty (as to a person, cause, or doctrine) : desertion

Recent Examples of defection from the Web

Learn More Market participants drew parallels to John Major’s government from 1992, which gradually lost its 21-seat majority to defections, by-elections and scandals and became a minority government for a short time.

— charlotte ryan, Bloomberg.com, "Westminster Scandal ‘On the Radar’ for Pound as Fallon Resigns," 2 Nov. 2017
Those defections could be an ominous sign for tax reform.

— russell berman, The Atlantic, "The GOP Tax Plan Inches Forward," 5 Oct. 2017
And after a trio of Republican defections killed the party’s every attempt to repeal Obamacare, the White House is eager to increase McConnell’s margin for error.

— eric levitz, Daily Intelligencer, "Red State Democrats Have No Good Reason to Back Trump’s Tax Plan," 3 Oct. 2017
But with tough 2018 races ahead, especially for endangered Senate Democrats (more on them soon), defections are a concern.

— gregory krieg and eric bradner, CNN, "5 questions for Democrats as Congress returns," 5 Sep. 2017
Republicans say the West Virginia governor’s defection is a warning that Democrats shouldn’t be overconfident.

— janet hook, WSJ, "West Virginia Defection Complicates Democrats’ Long Climb Back," 6 Aug. 2017
Vice President Pence cast the tiebreaking vote, which means that one more defection would have defeated the bill.

— jay willis, GQ, "Jeff Flake Had Nothing Left to Lose Anyway," 25 Oct. 2017
De La Hoya pointed to former middleweight champion Daniel Jacobs’ recent defection from Haymon to English promoter Eddie Hearn as evidence of the discontent.

— lance pugmire, latimes.com, "Leo Santa Cruz and Abner Mares are on a long journey to a rematch," 13 Oct. 2017
In the House, the threat mostly comes from Democrats, who experts suggest have a good shot at taking back the lower chamber, especially if Republican defections continue.

— vanityfair.com, "Republicans Abandoning Re-election Bids as Trump Fatigue Sets In," 11 Sep. 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of defection

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

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First Known Use: 1532

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