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

In replacing Bowman as GM during the 1986-87 season, Meehan oversaw numerous franchise-changing moves, including Mogilny’s defection from the Soviet Union in 1989. —ABC News, 6 June 2026

That was followed by seven GOP defections on a Democratic amendment blocking public and private funding for the president’s East Wing renovation without congressional authorization. —Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 4 June 2026

Last year, Alexander Isak’s eventual defection following a summer-long saga proved disastrous, hampering Newcastle’s own business, which had already been affected by Paul Mitchell’s departure as sporting director in May and by being pipped to their top targets. —James McNicholas, New York Times, 2 June 2026

Races for the office tend to be sleepy affairs, but this year’s contest has featured last-minute entrants, a whopping influx of cash and defections among the incumbent’s key supporters. —Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2026

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