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 the first four attempts, only 55 senators voted in favor of the bill, mostly along partisan lines with a few important defections. —George Petras, USA Today, 6 Oct. 2025

Versant last month filed its first financial reckoning with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and while the breakaway entity is still generating plenty of cash, the flow has been disrupted by the ongoing rash of customer defections. —Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 3 Oct. 2025

Senate Republicans hailed the three defections as a sign that Schumer has a weaker political position heading into a shutdown, which will likely last for several days. —Alexander Bolton, The Hill, 1 Oct. 2025

The damage done by their previous defection was irrevocable, alas. —Marlene L. Daut september 22, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 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