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

Thune could afford no more than three defections from his conference on recess appointments. —Alexander Bolton, The Hill, 31 July 2025

But if the practice sparks a trust crisis among customers who feel manipulated or unfairly treated, those gains could be offset by defections and bad publicity. —Roger Dooley, Forbes.com, 17 July 2025

Republicans can only afford three defections if all members are present and voting. —Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 2 July 2025

The parliamentarian approved the Senate’s effort to stop states from regulating AI, but it could get stripped out on the floor with all 47 Democrats and just four Republican defections. —Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 27 June 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