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

The Dolphins addressed those free agent defections by signing nine journeymen, unproven NFL players or undrafted rookies, hoping that a handful of them will be decent contributors. —Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 8 June 2024

Other polls also support the theory that this conviction won't cause mass defections to Biden. —Nathaniel Rakich, ABC News, 30 May 2024

The seismic shift east led to a tsunami of defections. —John Marshall, The Mercury News, 25 May 2024

But the Dolphins did sign seven veteran defensive lineman to help address the free agent defection that Christian Wilkins and Raekwon Davis made when Wilkins signed with the Las Vegas Raiders and Davis signed with the Indianapolis Colts. —Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 15 May 2024

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