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 damage done by their previous defection was irrevocable, alas. —Marlene L. Daut september 22, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2025

There would be another high-profile defection from the Tories to Reform. —Sam Knight, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2025

The aim is to destabilize Maduro’s inner circle and encourage defections. —Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 20 Sep. 2025

Yet those dynamics are creating a math problem for Johnson and his leadership team, who are hoping to send the bill to the Senate ahead of next week’s holiday recess but have little room for defections. —Mike Lillis, The Hill, 19 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