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

Rajiv Uppal's departure follows several high-profile defections from the tax agency since the beginning of the year. —Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 19 Apr. 2025

Reshoots, two competing cuts and crew defections on the first season added $75 million to the already $160 million budget. —Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 2025

The blueprint passed with a mostly party-line vote, 216-214, with only two GOP defections, giving another win to Trump and Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.). —Jonathan Easley, The Hill, 10 Apr. 2025

Originally Published: March 28, 2025 at 4:03 PM EDT Most Popular Most Popular Report: UConn men’s basketball suffers first transfer portal defection A CT man was doing 12 shots a day. —Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 28 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