defamation

noun | \ ˌde-fə-ˈmā-shən \ | de·fa·ma·tion

1. : communication to third parties of false statements about a person that injure the reputation of or deter others from associating with that person — see also libel, slander, New York Times Co. v. Sullivan — compare disparagement, false light, slander of title

2. : a defamatory communication every repetition of the defamation is a publication —W. L. Prosser and W. P. Keeton