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

By focusing on trust, addressing silent defection, and deploying AI judiciously, CCOs can turn challenges into opportunities. —Blake Morgan, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025

The irony is that at the other major prosecutorial office maintaining law and order, the Cook County state’s attorney, voters in November elected Eileen O’Neill Burke, a tough-on-crime candidate who pledged to rebuild ranks depleted by defections during the two terms of Kim Foxx. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2025

In the absence of Democratic support, Johnson could only afford to lose one Republican vote before a second defection killed the bill. —Lauren Peller, ABC News, 11 Mar. 2025

The House currently has 218 Republicans and 215 Democrats, meaning two Republican defections will mean defeat. —David Lightman, Sacramento Bee, 24 Feb. 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