desertion

[ dih-zur-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act of deserting or the state of being deserted.
2. Law. willful abandonment, especially of one's spouse without consent, in violation of legal or moral obligations.
3. an act of leaving military service or duty without the intention of returning.

desertion

/ dɪˈzɜːʃən /

noun

1. the act of deserting or abandoning or the state of being deserted or abandoned
2. law wilful abandonment, esp of one's spouse or children, without consent and in breach of obligations

Other Words From

• prede·sertion noun
• self-de·sertion noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of desertion¹

1585–95; < Late Latin dēsertiōn- (stem of dēsertiō ) < Latin dēsert ( us ) ( desert ¹ ) + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

He plans to enter a guilty plea to five charges, including desertion and assault, as part of a plea deal.

From BBC

Army investigators found Lee in Redmond on Jan. 26 and arrested him on a charge of desertion.

From Seattle Times

Analysts say the move is meant not only to counter the army’s attrition though deaths, desertions and defections, but also constitutes a divide and conquers strategy meant to reignite tensions between ethnic groups in Rakhine.

From Seattle Times

There were around 160,000 soldiers before the army takeover, the institute said, and there are now fewer than 100,000 due to casualties, desertions and defection.

From Seattle Times

Institute of Peace has suggested that 21,000 service personnel have been lost through casualties, desertions and defections since the military takeover, leaving an effective force of about 150,000.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• betrayal