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 Well, he's lost back-to-back votes on big issues because of defections from his own members. USA TODAY, 12 Feb. 2024 Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images Johnson can only afford a handful of Republican defections for the vote to succeed. Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 2 Feb. 2024 Those results followed years of Republican atrophy in such areas, culminating in 2020 losses in key swing states fueled by defections from voters living near major cities like Atlanta, Phoenix and beyond. Tal Axelrod, ABC News, 22 Jan. 2024 After his defection, Jenkins was taken to a small house, where he was held alongside Dresnok, Abshier and Parrish for eight desolate years. Francine Uenuma, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Jan. 2024 Customer defections from premium streaming services increased to 6.3% in November from 5.1% a year earlier. Harold Maass, theweek, 3 Jan. 2024 Arizona voters are two-for-the-last-two presidential picks, a run that has fired up political bases and sped up defections to the middle. Greg Burton, The Arizona Republic, 16 Feb. 2024 Republicans would have had enough votes to overcome the GOP defections had Scalise been present. Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 8 Feb. 2024 Police officers lined up around the buses to prevent defections. Ian Urbina, The New Yorker, 6 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'defection.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 29 Mar. 2024.

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