Meaning of defect In English

• 0 a fault or problem in something or someone that spoils that thing or person or causes it, him, or her not to work correctly:

  • All the company's aircraft have been grounded, after a defect in the engine cooling system was discovered.

  • There are so many defects in our education system.

  • It's a character defect in her that she can't ever admit she's wrong.

  • She suffers from a heart/sight/speech defect.

  • The drug has been shown to cause birth defects.

  • Cystic fibrosis is caused by a genetic defect.

• 1 to leave a country, political party, etc., especially in order to join an opposing one:

  • When the national hockey team visited the US, half the players defected.

  • The British spy, Kim Philby, defected to the Soviet Union/defected from Britain in 1963.

• 2 something that is lacking or that is not exactly right in someone or something:

  • The cars have a defect in the electrical system that may cause them to stall.

• 3 to leave a country or a group you belong to, esp. in order to join an opposing one:

  • Some of the mayor’s long-time supporters have defected to other candidates.

• 4 a fault that spoils something or causes it not to work correctly:

  • product defects

  • The report cited structural defects as the reason for the demolition of the building.

  • correct/remedy/rectify a defect

  • a major/serious/minor defect

  • a design/manufacturing defect

• 5 to leave one company or organization and form or join another:

  • defect from/to sth Many of our sales team have defected to the competition.

• 6 to stop buying a particular product or service and buy a different one instead:

  • defect from/to sth Millions of customers defected to rival telecommunications companies.

• 7 to leave your country or group and join another because you disagree with the ideas of those in control:

  • He's a pilot who defected to the United States.