1
: an imperfection or abnormality that impairs quality, function, or utility : shortcoming, flaw
carefully inspect a tire for defects
examined the porcelain for defects
a moral defect in his nature
neural tube defects
defects of metabolism
2
chemistry
: an imperfection (such as a vacancy or an unlike atom) in a crystal lattice (see lattice sense 2)
defected; defecting; defects
1
: to forsake one cause, party, or nation for another often because of a change in ideology
a former KGB agent who defected to America
2
: to leave one situation (such as a job) often to go over to a rival
the reporter defected to another network
Synonyms
Examples of defect in a Sentence
Noun
They examine their products for defects.
She was born with a heart defect.
Vanity and pride were his two worst character defects.
Verb
The Russian scholar defected in 1979.
She defected from the conservative party.
He defected to the West before the war began.
The reporter defected to another TV network.
Recent Examples on the Web
Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2024
However, with the recent severe repercussions of product defects and bugs in popular software, business leaders have begun to realize that adopting new shiny tools may be detrimental to an organization versus accelerating its innovation.
—Grant Bourzikas, Forbes, 17 Oct. 2024
Michael Conte, CNN, 30 Oct. 2024
Leading up to their Main Event rematch at Mania 40, Jey Uso defected from the Bloodline, feuded with his brother and cousins, and was actually part of the alliance who helped Cody even the numbers against The Bloodline and beat Reigns to win the title.
—Shaheem Reid, Variety, 8 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for defect 
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Noun
Fires can be caused by overcharging, overheating, physical damage or product defects, which trigger a process known as thermal runaway — where excessive heat inside a battery creates a self-sustaining chemical reaction that can then easily spread to adjacent batteries.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2024
However, with the recent severe repercussions of product defects and bugs in popular software, business leaders have begun to realize that adopting new shiny tools may be detrimental to an organization versus accelerating its innovation.
—Grant Bourzikas, Forbes, 17 Oct. 2024
Verb
Reade defected to Russia in 2023 and became a contributor to RT.
—Michael Conte, CNN, 30 Oct. 2024
Leading up to their Main Event rematch at Mania 40, Jey Uso defected from the Bloodline, feuded with his brother and cousins, and was actually part of the alliance who helped Cody even the numbers against The Bloodline and beat Reigns to win the title.
—Shaheem Reid, Variety, 8 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for defect
Dictionary Entries Near defect
Cite this Entry
“Defect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/defect. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
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defect
noun
de·fect
ˈdē-ˌfekt, di-ˈfekt 
: something or a lack of something that results in incompleteness, inadequacy, or imperfection: as
a
: a flaw in something (as a product) especially that creates an unreasonable risk of harm in its normal use see also latent defect
b
: an error or omission in a court document (as an indictment or pleading)
c
: some imperfection in the chain of title to property that makes the title unmarketable
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