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

Losing Hyperliquid’s billions would erase up to 10% of its revenue overnight, exposing its dependence on interest income and underscoring its vulnerability to client defection. —Tomer Niv, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025

Quizzed about a potential defection at the press conference, Payne shutdown the rumors. —Nada Aboul Kheir, Deadline, 6 Sep. 2025

If everyone is present and voting, Johnson will only be able to afford two defections for party-line votes. —Jonathan Easley, The Hill, 2 Sep. 2025

That compares to London, which has been battling a lackluster IPO market following a string of delistings and defections. —Karen Gilchrist, CNBC, 20 Aug. 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