How to pronounce defection
Say it like dih-FEK-shun. Defection has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (FEK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce defection. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- dih
- FEK
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Defection pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- dihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- FEKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- shunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of defection
American and British speakers say defection in essentially the same way: /dɪˈfɛkʃən/ in the US and /dɪˈfɛkʃən/ in the UK.
British respelling: dih-FEK-shun.
What does defection mean?
- An act or incidence of defecting.“military defection”
Where does defection come from?
From Latin dēfectiō (stem dēfectiōn-).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with defection
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of defection.
Questions about saying defection
How do you pronounce defection?
Say dih-FEK-shun. The American pronunciation is /dɪˈfɛkʃən/. In British English it is /dɪˈfɛkʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in defection?
Defection has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (FEK). Broken into parts: dih · FEK · shun.
Do Americans and Brits say defection the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /dɪˈfɛkʃən/ and the British form is /dɪˈfɛkʃən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.