noun
Uncommon
defect
DEE-fehkt
Defect (noun) means a flaw, fault, or imperfection in something. Example: “The car was recalled because of a defect in the brakes.”
noun
1
A flaw, fault, or imperfection in something.
"The car was recalled because of a defect in the brakes."
"Doctors detected a heart defect at birth."
"The shop refunded me because the jumper had a defect in the stitching."
verb
1
To abandon one's country, party, or cause, especially to join an opposing one.
"The scientist defected to the West during the Cold War."
"Several soldiers defected rather than keep fighting."
"Two players defected to the rival club after a disagreement with their manager."
How to use defect
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAs a noun, a flaw; as a verb, to switch sides or abandon your country/cause.
Common pairings
birth defect
manufacturing defect
defect to another country
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Word forms
- Plural
- defects
- Third person singular
- defects
- Past tense
- defected
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The car was recalled because of a _____ in the brakes.
Etymology
From Latin defectus ("a failure, lack"), from deficere ("to fail, undo"), formed from de- + facere ("to do").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for defect
See all rhymes for defect →Frequently asked questions
What does “defect” mean?
The word “defect” means a flaw, fault, or imperfection in something. In plain terms, as a noun, a flaw; as a verb, to switch sides or abandon your country/cause.
How do you pronounce “defect”?
“Defect” is pronounced DEE-fehkt (/ˈdiːfɛkt/ in IPA).
How do you use “defect” in a sentence?
Here is “defect” used in a sentence: “The car was recalled because of a defect in the brakes.”
What is another word for “defect”?
Words with a similar meaning to “defect” include fault, flaw, imperfection, shortcoming, drawback and deficiency.
What part of speech is “defect”?
Depending on how it is used, “defect” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “defect” come from?
The word “defect” comes from Latin. From Latin defectus ("a failure, lack"), from deficere ("to fail, undo"), formed from de- + facere ("to do").
Is “defect” a common word?
“Defect” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “defect” have?
“Defect” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a flaw, fault, or imperfection in something.
What is the difference between a defect and a bug in software?
In software, a defect and a bug are often used interchangeably to mean a flaw or fault in the code. Defect is the more formal, general term, while bug is the informal, more commonly spoken word for the same kind of imperfection.
What does it mean when someone defects?
To defect means to abandon one's country, party, or cause, typically in order to join an opposing one. It's most often used in political or military contexts, such as a soldier or official defecting to another nation.
Is defect always a negative word?
As a noun, defect is generally negative, describing a flaw or imperfection that shouldn't be there. As a verb, it's more neutral in tone but still implies a significant, often controversial, break of loyalty.
