dereliction

noun

der·​e·​lic·​tion ˌder-ə-ˈlik-shən How to pronounce dereliction (audio)
ˌde-rə-
1
a
: an intentional abandonment
b
: the state of being abandoned
2
: a recession of water leaving permanently dry land
3
a
: intentional or conscious neglect : delinquency
dereliction of duty

Examples of dereliction in a Sentence

the dereliction of a cause by its leaders The officer was formally charged with dereliction of duty. a serious dereliction of duty
Recent Examples on the Web The fact that Trump’s motives may be political rather than high-minded does not change the basic fact that the Senate deal would be a disaster that camouflages Biden’s dereliction of duty. Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review, 27 Jan. 2024 Abbott is escalating the issue by invoking his authority to repel invasions — a further crisis engendered by this administration’s dereliction of duty. The Editors, National Review, 25 Jan. 2024 The exchange comes amid an attempt to impeach the secretary over the border crisis and his alleged dereliction of duty. Misty Severi, Washington Examiner, 12 Jan. 2024 Many in the group comprise those who have done little wrong but stand accused of unproven derelictions of responsibility. Richard E. Vatz, Baltimore Sun, 9 Jan. 2024 With such clear bias, and such dereliction of the basic tenets of due process, the agency cannot fairly supervise the digital assets industry. Marisa Coppel, Fortune Crypto, 29 June 2023 Once the summer home of a wealthy family from Mahón, the island’s capital, Santa Ponsa was sold to farmers in the late 19th century and eventually fell into dereliction, like many handsome houses on the island. Rebecca Rose, Travel + Leisure, 25 Sep. 2023 If the president is refusing to fire him for his dereliction of duty, his salary must reflect his failures. Misty Severi, Washington Examiner, 6 Sep. 2023 In contrast, criminal prosecution is designed to address private wrongs, not derelictions of public duty. The Editors, National Review, 2 Aug. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dereliction.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of dereliction was in 1597

Dictionary Entries Near dereliction

Cite this Entry

“Dereliction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dereliction. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

dereliction

noun
der·​e·​lic·​tion ˌder-ə-ˈlik-shən How to pronounce dereliction (audio)
1
: the act of abandoning : the state of being abandoned
the dereliction of a cause by its leaders
2
: neglect of one's duty

Legal Definition

dereliction

noun
der·​e·​lic·​tion ˌder-ə-ˈlik-shən How to pronounce dereliction (audio)
1
a
: an intentional abandonment
b
: a state of being abandoned
2
: a recession of water leaving permanently dry land
3
: an intentional or conscious neglect
dereliction of duty
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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