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

Lawsuits of this nature tend to be ruinously expensive and long-running; the Big East’s litigation over Miami and Boston College’s defections to the ACC was settled nearly two full years after the fact. —Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 30 Jan. 2025

Republicans can afford just three defections with their 53-47 majority. —Samantha-Jo Roth, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 23 Jan. 2025

Hegseth can only afford three GOP defections to still be confirmed, should every Democrat and Independent senator vote against him. —Ellen Mitchell, The Hill, 13 Jan. 2025

In spite of the multiple customer defections, the company’s connectivity and platforms unit posted $20.5 billion in revenue on the quarter, good for a $46 million gain. —Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 30 Jan. 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