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

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

The Post, owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, has had to weather the defections of prominent staffers after the outlet has appeared to kowtow to Trump. —Brian Steinberg, Variety, 28 Jan. 2025

The Wisk defections triggered a lawsuit accusing Archer of intellectual property theft in a dispute that was resolved with a 2023 settlement that included an agreement for the two sides to collaborate on some facets of eVTOL technology. —Michael Liedtke, The Denver Post, 18 Jan. 2025

Evidence of this for Trump may include the defection from the administration by prior Trump family and team members. —Cassidy Creech, The Conversation, 14 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