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

If Republicans win both seats, there will be 220 Republicans and 213 Democrats, with Republicans being able to afford three GOP defections on any party-line measure until one of the vacant Democratic-leaning seats are filled. —Emily Brooks, The Hill, 28 Mar. 2025

Originally Published: March 28, 2025 at 3:40 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. —Aaron Flaum, Hartford Courant, 28 Mar. 2025

Despite widespread anger over Myanmar's faltering economy and high levels of defections, the junta has retained power with support from countries like China, India, Russia, and Thailand. —Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Mar. 2025

The previous coach, Ben Johnson, couldn’t get over the hump in his four seasons, having his roster hit hard by defections when a lack of name, image and likeness (NIL) money led to two key players receiving bigger paydays after last season. —Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 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