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

Armed groups have proliferated in a complex web of alliances, defections, and betrayals. —Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker, 24 Nov. 2025

That came after multiple attempts by Trump to kill the legislation before changing course following the defection of several Republican House members urging their release, including such typically MAGA faithful stalwarts as Marjorie Taylor Greene and Lauren Boebert. —Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 21 Nov. 2025

That will put pressure on other House Republicans to vote in favor of the files release, with the expectation that there will be a number of defections. —Ted Johnson, Deadline, 14 Nov. 2025

The Democrats' defections helped push the bill over the finish line, as two Republicans opposed against the measure to reopen the government. —Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News, 13 Nov. 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