defection

noun

de·​fec·​tion di-ˈfek-shən How to pronounce defection (audio)
: 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
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With a 53-47 majority in the Senate, Hegseth can afford only three Republican defections for confirmation if all Democrats vote against him. Lalee Ibssa, ABC News, 14 Jan. 2025 Such defections are a luxury that Republican leaders can’t afford this year given their narrow majority. Andrew Duehren, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2025 Even a handful of defections can send a priority spiraling, and Republicans seem incapable of breaking their case of the spins. Philip Elliott, TIME, 3 Jan. 2025 The Speaker could not have afforded another defection on the House floor and secured the gavel with the slim House GOP majority, which has 219 Republicans to 215 Democrats. Emily Brooks, The Hill, 3 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for defection 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of defection was in 1532

Dictionary Entries Near defection

Cite this Entry

“Defection.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/defection. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

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