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

Have the stakes for last year’s 11 win Dolphins team been raised because of the free agent defections? —Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 2 May 2024

Studio for All Although Pro Tools remains the pro-studio standard, there have been some high-profile defections to Studio One. —PCMAG, 1 May 2024

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