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

Getting the number of defections down to just six members was seen as a major success, and is raising Republicans’ hopes of narrowing down the GOP rebellions on other tariff votes. —Emily Brooks, The Hill, 13 Feb. 2026

Republicans, however, have a razor-thin majority and can only afford one defection during floor votes. —Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 11 Feb. 2026

And the Grammys came amidst a jarring number of images and videos of the killings in Minneapolis, violent defections of peaceful anti-ICE protests across the country. —José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 7 Feb. 2026

Such defections are typical, according to S&P Global, which reports that many people then choose vehicles with similar or higher prices. —Bloomberg, Mercury News, 5 Feb. 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