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

That legislation passed both the House and Senate with a handful of GOP defections. — David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 25 June 2026

South Korea took a soldier from the North into custody after the individual crossed the heavily fortified border this week in what is believed to be a defection, South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported Wednesday. — CBS News, 24 June 2026

Artists defections became common, cancellations continued to add up and the center lost the Washington National Opera, which had occupied the venue since 1971. — Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2026

If all House members are voting and present – which is unlikely – House Speaker Mike Johnson can afford three GOP defections. — ABC News, 8 June 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