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

Third place would leave him uncomfortably close to the bubble, likely needing some defections. —Jay Posner, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2026

While each has allies pushing their case, most would need to go through a full Senate confirmation process at a time when the administration can afford few defections. —Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 3 Apr. 2026

What better example of the unraveling of the Trump coalition and — from the naysayers’ point of view — the shaky premise of the Iran war than Kent’s defection? —David M. Drucker, Twin Cities, 29 Mar. 2026

As the 2026 tourney gets underway, the networks in the TNT Sports portfolio now reach a little under 60 million homes, and with an annual defection rate that’s been holding steady at 8%, CBS’ cable partners will likely land on the wrong side of 50 million subs by the end of 2027. —Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 20 Mar. 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