defect

Pronunciation

noun

• enPR: dē'fĕkt, IPA ^(key): /ˈdiːfɛkt/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

verb

• enPR: dĭfĕkt', IPA ^(key): /dɪˈfɛkt/

• Audio (UK)

  (file)

Noun

Singular defect

Plural defects

1. (countable) A defect in something is a mistake or problem that makes the thing not perfect.
   • Synonyms: flaw and imperfection

   This gem has a defect, so it is not worth much.

2. (countable) A defect is something that is not perfect.

Verb

Plain form defect

Third-person singular defects

Past tense defected

Past participle defected

Present participle defecting

1. (intransitive) If you defect from a group or country, you leave it and join a different side.

   In 1961, Rudolf Nureyev defected from Russia.

Related words

• defection
• defector