Word
desertion
Phoneticsde·ser·tion, stress on the second syllable
US/dɪˈzɝʃən/
UK/dɪzˈɜːʃən/
Military
Definition
n. the act of leaving a group or organization, especially an army, without permission. It is a serious crime in the military.
n. the act of leaving a military unit or organization without authority or without intent to return. Often carries legal consequences, particularly within military law.
Examples
“The soldier faced a court-martial for desertion.”
“During the long winter campaign, several soldiers were punished for desertion after they left their posts to find shelter.”
“The general's memoirs detail the psychological toll of desertion on the remaining troops, noting how the loss of a few men significantly eroded the unit's morale.”
Examples
simple
“The soldier faced a court-martial for desertion.”
contextual
“During the long winter campaign, several soldiers were punished for desertion after they left their posts to find shelter.”
complex
“The general's memoirs detail the psychological toll of desertion on the remaining troops, noting how the loss of a few men significantly eroded the unit's morale.”
Real-World Examples
“The last time a US military execution was conducted by firing squad was in 1945, for desertion during World War II.” “Guinea's President Mamadi Doumbouya, 41, has dismissed more than 170 soldiers for "desertion", including a colonel who helped him seize power in a coup in 2021.” Etymology
Borrowed from Middle French désertion.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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