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

Short-term savings often lead to long-term customer defection. —Talbott Roche, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025

And yet, despite all these warning signs, Republicans on the Senate Banking Committee nodded through Miran’s nomination with no defections. —John Cassidy, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025

Cal has survived more than 20 players transferring out from last year’s team, while the Gophers have sustained only a few important defections. —Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 12 Sep. 2025

Before the election, the House stood with 219 Republicans and 212 Democrats; Walkinshaw's win moves the balance closer and limits Johnson's margin for defections. —Anna Commander, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 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