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

Reza Pahlavi himself has distributed messages calling for defections among the armed forces, and coordinated protests through QR codes. —Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 8 Jan. 2026

There was no public indication Saturday of mass defections from the Venezuelan armed forces. —Mery Mogollon, Los Angeles Times, 3 Jan. 2026

The narrative follows Kim Phúc into adulthood—her education, religious awakening, defection to Canada, and, by taking ownership of the photograph in which she was unwillingly portrayed, her eventual emergence as a humanitarian advocate for child victims of conflict. —Literary Hub, 19 Dec. 2025

In the 1990s, the ruling CPDM suffered a barrage of defections and Biya won only 40% of the 1992 election. —Yonatan Morse, The Conversation, 19 Dec. 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