defect
Americannoun
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defects
plural
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a shortcoming, fault, or imperfection: a defect in a machine.
a defect in an argument;
a defect in a machine.
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lack or want, especially of something essential to perfection or completeness; deficiency: a defect of action.
a defect of common sense
a defect of action.
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Also called lattice defect, crystal defect. Crystallography. a discontinuity in the lattice of a crystal caused by missing or extra atoms or ions, or by dislocations.
verb (used without object)
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defects,
present (3rd person singular)
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defected,
past participle, past
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defecting
present participle
noun
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a lack of something necessary for completeness or perfection; shortcoming; deficiency
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an imperfection, failing, or blemish
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crystallog a local deviation from regularity in the crystal lattice of a solid See also point defect dislocation
verb
Synonym Usage
Defect, blemish, flaw refer to faults that detract from perfection. Defect is the general word for any kind of shortcoming or imperfection, whether literal or figurative: a defect in eyesight, in a plan. A blemish is usually a defect on a surface, which mars the appearance: a blemish on her cheek. Flaw is applied to a defect in quality, caused by imperfect structure (as in a diamond) or brought about during manufacture (as in texture of cloth, in clearness of glass, etc.).
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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defectibilitynoun
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defectornoun
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predefectnoun
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redefectverb (used without object)
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defectibleadjective
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defectlessadjective
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nondefectingadjective
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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defectsimple
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defectssimple
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have defectedperfect
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has defectedperfect
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am defectingprogressive
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are defectingprogressive
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is defectingprogressive
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have been defectingperfect progressive
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has been defectingperfect progressive
Past
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defectedsimple
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had defectedperfect
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was defectingprogressive
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were defectingprogressive
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had been defectingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of defect
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Latin dēfectus “failure, weakness,” equivalent to dēfec-, variant stem of dēficere “to run short, fail, weaken” ( see deficient) + -tus suffix of verb action
Explanation
A flaw in something is a defect. At certain stores you can buy clothes with slight defects. You have to be careful because the defect can be minor, like a missing button, or major, like sleeves of uneven lengths. In a person, a defect is an imperfection, which can manifest itself mentally or physically. If you are diagnosed with a heart defect, you will have to seek the advice of specialists. A hearing defect might leave your dad deaf in one ear. If you are becoming forgetful, you can joke that you are developing a mental defect, but if it continues, you'll probably want to have your head examined.
Vocabulary lists containing defect
Tuesdays with Morrie
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The Glass Menagerie
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Thomas Jefferson's First Inaugural Address (1801)
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
She had routine surgery for craniosynostosis, external, a birth defect affecting the skull, but an abnormal chest X-ray was not flagged.
From BBC ● Oct. 31, 2026
To test their approach, the researchers first examined a nitrogen-vacancy center in diamond, a type of crystal defect widely studied for quantum applications.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 23, 2026
Under Seoul's constitution, all North Koreans are considered citizens of the Republic of Korea, as the South is officially known, and those who reach its territory and seek to defect are generally allowed to stay.
From Barron's ● Oct. 20, 2026
Both indictments were later dismissed because of a defect involving the appointment of the prosecutor, although the Justice Department subsequently pursued a new indictment against Comey.
From Salon ● Oct. 17, 2026
Her defect, frightening and exotic as it was, was also a theatrical failure.
From "Song of Solomon" by Toni Morrison
These earlier observations helped researchers recognize that antibodies blocking IL-10 could produce effects similar to inherited defects involving the same protein or its receptor.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 26, 2026
As long as they adhere to price caps, agree to certain labor requirements and fix repairs that arise, they’re protected from lawsuits from buyers concerning defects 10 years after construction of the home.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 24, 2026
"We provided the missing piece of the puzzle needed to completely describe the optical cycle of spin defects," Galli said.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 23, 2026
While it doesn’t offer insurance, all jewelry does come with a warranty that covers “imperfections that are the result of defects in the manufacturing process.”
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 22, 2026
Not all defects could be explained so congenially.
From "The Woman Warrior" by Maxine Hong Kingston
Garcia was sanctioned by the DP World Tour for breaking its rules when he defected to LIV, making him ineligible for the 2023 Ryder Cup.
From BBC ● Oct. 29, 2026
A managing director in Blue Owl’s Tokyo office defected to Benefit Street Partners, while a managing director in institutional funds went to Pimco and a principal in the private-wealth unit took a job at KKR.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 17, 2026
As Russian forces advanced elsewhere, Stupnikov’s actions helped hold them back near Vuhledar until he defected to Ukraine in July 2024.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026
Sarah Cooper-Lesadd, one of 34 Reform MSs elected in May's Senedd election, defected to Plaid on Tuesday.
From BBC ● Sep. 16, 2026
My mother embraced Edward after he defected from Dauntless.
From "Allegiant" by Veronica Roth
Last year was a low point for the video game juggernaut, with poor reviews for its single-player campaign mode and multiplayer fans defecting to rival titles.
From BBC ● Oct. 22, 2026
Despite leaving, Tugay did not follow Ozel, saying he would remain independent, with rumours emerging over the summer that he was considering defecting to AKP -- all of which he denied.
From Barron's ● Oct. 7, 2026
Some diners have been defecting to competitors like Chick-fil-A, which are known for heavily staffed, attentive service.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 11, 2026
At the dinner, I tried to get a sense if there were more women like Smith—sweet, older Christian Alabamians—snapping and defecting to the left.
From Slate ● May 4, 2026
Internal strife in Parthia had its leaders distracted and its allies defecting.
From "Sterling Biographies®: Cleopatra: Egypt's Last and Greatest Queen" by Susan Blackaby
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