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
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
Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 23 Oct. 2025
Other higher-risk groups include those with congenital heart defects or disorders, structural heart problems, or a history of coronary artery disease or heart failure.
—Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2025
Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2025
Sponsors assume no responsibility for any error, omissions, interruption, deletion, defect or delay in operation with transmission, communications, line failure, theft or destruction or unauthorized access to or allegation of submissions.
—CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defect
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Noun
The inspection program would find and repair defects mitigated before reaching a critical state.
—Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 23 Oct. 2025
Other higher-risk groups include those with congenital heart defects or disorders, structural heart problems, or a history of coronary artery disease or heart failure.
—Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2025
Verb
The Iranian Olympian who defected is mentioned.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2025
Sponsors assume no responsibility for any error, omissions, interruption, deletion, defect or delay in operation with transmission, communications, line failure, theft or destruction or unauthorized access to or allegation of submissions.
—CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defect
Cite this Entry
“Defect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/defect. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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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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