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

Pride parades hit by defections San Francisco Pride, one of the world’s largest LGBTQ+ parades, lost sponsorships from Comcast and alcoholic beverage companies Anheuser-Busch and Diageo. PepsiCo, Nissan and Citi are not returning to sponsor NYC Pride this year. —Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 7 May 2025

In fact, Donald became Europe's captain after Henrik Stenson was removed from his role by the European Tour following his defection to LIV. —Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 2 May 2025

To the extent that the factions’ territorial control continues to shift on the margins, that could push further defections. —Mai Hassan, Foreign Affairs, 30 Apr. 2025

Johnson needs near-unanimous GOP support and can only afford to lose one Republican before a second defection would defeat the bill if all members are voting and present. —Lauren Peller, ABC News, 11 Mar. 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