defect

Everyday

1. noun: A defect is a fault or flaw that makes something not work properly or not look right. tree →
2. noun: A defect can be a problem in a body part that someone is born with, like a heart defect. tree →
3. verb: To defect means to leave your country, team or side and join the other side. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life shops take back goods with a defect; factories check items for defects. In science and health a defect is a fault in a part. In maths problems you may find the fraction or percentage of items that have defects. Phrases: a defect in, birth defect, speech defect, defect to.

Examples

• The toy was sent back because of a defect in the wheel. tree →
• Every phone is tested for defects. tree →
• Out of 200 bulbs, 4 had defects. tree →
• The baby was born with a small heart defect. tree →
• The spy defected to the other side. tree →
• A scratch on the screen is a defect. tree →
• This curl was intended to conceal the blind eye, but it made the defect only more visible. tree →

Note

Noun stressed DEE-fect; verb stressed de-FECT. Countable noun. Adjective: defective (faulty). A person who defects is a defector. In maths: if 4 out of 200 have a defect, the fraction is 4/200 = 1/50, or 2 percent; the rest are fine.