Dictionary.com

desertion

[ dih-zur-shuhn ]
/ dɪˈzɜr ʃən /
Save This Word!

noun
the act of deserting or the state of being deserted.
Law. willful abandonment, especially of one's spouse without consent, in violation of legal or moral obligations.
an act of leaving military service or duty without the intention of returning.
QUIZ
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?
Question 1 of 7
Which sentence is correct?
Compare AWOL.

Origin of desertion

1585–95; <Late Latin dēsertiōn- (stem of dēsertiō) <Latin dēsert(us) (see desert1) + -iōn--ion

OTHER WORDS FROM desertion

pre·de·ser·tion, nounself-de·ser·tion, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use desertion in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for desertion

desertion
/ (dɪˈzɜːʃən) /

noun
the act of deserting or abandoning or the state of being deserted or abandoned
law wilful abandonment, esp of one's spouse or children, without consent and in breach of obligations
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
FEEDBACK