Noun: defection di'fek-shun
- Withdrawing support or help despite allegiance or responsibility
"The soldier's defection to the enemy was considered treason";
- desertion, abandonment
- The state of having rejected your affiliation, religious or political beliefs, or principles (often in favour of opposing beliefs or causes)
"The diplomat's defection to the enemy country made headlines";
- apostasy, renunciation
Derived forms: defections
Type of: rejection, withdrawal
Encyclopedia: Defection