noun
Uncommon
treason
TREE-zuhn
Treason (noun) means the crime of betraying one's own country, especially by helping its enemies or attempting to overthrow its government. Example: “He was charged with treason for leaking military secrets to a hostile power.”
noun
1
The crime of betraying one's own country, especially by helping its enemies or attempting to overthrow its government.
"If for every error and every act of incompetence one can substitute an act of treason, many points of fascinating interpretation are open to the paranoid imagination: treason in high places can be found at almost every turning."
— Richard J. Hofstadter, The Paranoid Style in American Politics (1964)
"He was charged with treason for leaking military secrets to a hostile power."
"In the old story, the knight was accused of treason by the jealous king."
"Betraying the nation to its enemies was once punished as treason."
How to use treason
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTreason is the most serious kind of betrayal — turning against your own country.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
commit treason
high treason
charged with treason
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like treason.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- treasons
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He was charged with _____ for leaking military secrets to a hostile power.
Etymology
From Old French traïson, ultimately from Latin trādō, "to hand over or betray" — the same root as "tradition" and "betray."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for treason
See all rhymes for treason →Frequently asked questions
What does “treason” mean?
The word “treason” means the crime of betraying one's own country, especially by helping its enemies or attempting to overthrow its government. In plain terms, treason is the most serious kind of betrayal — turning against your own country.
How do you pronounce “treason”?
“Treason” is pronounced TREE-zuhn (/ˈtɹiː.zən/ in IPA).
How do you use “treason” in a sentence?
Here is “treason” used in a sentence: “He was charged with treason for leaking military secrets to a hostile power.”
What part of speech is “treason”?
“Treason” is a noun.
Where does the word “treason” come from?
The word “treason” comes from Latin. From Old French traïson, ultimately from Latin trādō, "to hand over or betray" — the same root as "tradition" and "betray.".
Is “treason” a common word?
“Treason” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between treason and sedition?
Treason is the crime of betraying one's own country, especially by aiding its enemies or trying to overthrow its government, while sedition refers to inciting rebellion or resistance against authority without necessarily reaching the level of betrayal treason implies. Treason is generally considered the more severe charge because it involves active betrayal rather than mere incitement.
What is the difference between treason and espionage?
Treason specifically requires betraying one's own country, often by a citizen owing allegiance to it, whereas espionage refers more broadly to spying or secretly gathering information, which can be committed by anyone regardless of nationality. Espionage can be one method by which treason is carried out, but the two terms are not interchangeable.
Can treason be committed against an organization rather than a country?
No, in its proper legal and dictionary sense, treason applies specifically to betraying one's own country, such as by helping its enemies or attempting to overthrow its government. Using 'treason' for betrayal of a company, team, or group is informal or figurative rather than the literal definition.
