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HOW TO PRONOUNCE

defect

/ˈdifɛkt/

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American Pronunciation Guide · 1:03
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What does defect mean?

noun

  1. A fault or malfunction.
  2. The quantity or amount by which anything falls short.
  3. A part by which a figure or quantity is wanting or deficient.
More meanings (4)

verb

  1. To abandon or turn against; to cease or change one's loyalty, especially from a military organisation or political party.
  2. To desert one's army, to flee from combat.
  3. To join the enemy army.
  4. To flee one's country and seek asylum.

Definitions regrouped for readability · CC BY-SA 4.0

IPA pronunciation

/ˈdifɛkt/

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary

Other dictionary pronunciations

/dɪˈfɛkt/
CMU Pronouncing Dictionary

Pronunciation varies by speaker and region. About these dictionary pronunciations.

In the pages of books

See this word in context.

Another defect to be supplied by a senate lies in a want of due acquaintance with the objects and principles of legislation.
Alexander Hamilton; John Jay; James MadisonThe Federalist PapersProject Gutenberg ebook #18
She had but one defect, her eyes were weak, and this malady she had brought down upon herself, through her own action.
Louis GinzbergThe Legends of the Jews — Volume 1Translated by Henrietta SzoldProject Gutenberg ebook #1493
More book examples (3)
Well, and can the eyes fulfil their end if they are wanting in their own proper excellence and have a defect instead?
PlatoThe RepublicTranslated by Benjamin JowettProject Gutenberg ebook #1497
When the Mason-bee refrains, therefore, this is not due to helplessness on her part, nor to any defect in the material employed.
Jean-Henri FabreThe Mason-BeesTranslated by Alexander Teixeira de MattosProject Gutenberg ebook #2884
The next incident of importance was the appearance of a defect in one of the two Primus lamps used by Joyce’s party.
Ernest Henry, Sir ShackletonSouth: The Story of Shackleton's Last Expedition, 1914-1917Project Gutenberg ebook #5199