derelict

1 of 2

adjective

der·​e·​lict ˈder-ə-ˌlikt How to pronounce derelict (audio)
ˈde-rə-
1
: abandoned especially by the owner or occupant
derelict warehouses
also : run-down
a derelict neighborhood
2
: lacking a sense of duty : negligent
derelict in his duty
derelict landlords

derelict

2 of 2

noun

1
a
: something voluntarily abandoned
especially : a ship abandoned on the high seas
b
geology : a tract of land left dry by receding water
2
: a destitute homeless social misfit : vagrant, bum

Did you know?

Derelict Has Latin Roots

The Latin verb relinquere, meaning "to leave behind," left behind a few English derivatives, including derelict. Something derelict has been left behind, or at least appears that way. In another sense, someone who is derelict leaves behind or neglects their duties or obligations. Another descendant of relinquere is relinquish, meaning "to leave behind," "to give up," or "to release." Relic is another example of a word that ultimately comes from relinquere. Relics, in the original sense of the term, referred to things treasured for their association with a saint or martyr—that is, objects saints and martyrs had left behind. Relinquere also gives English its name for the containers or shrines which hold relics, reliquary.

Examples of derelict in a Sentence

Adjective The officer was charged with being derelict in his duty. the guards were judged derelict in their duty Noun It was a run-down neighborhood filled with drugs addicts and derelicts. a section of the city that seemed to be frequented mostly by derelicts
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Firefighters were still making their way through the remnants of shacks and other informal structures that littered the inside of the derelict five-story building in the heart of Johannesburg’s central business district hours after the fire was extinguished. Gerald Imray and Mogomotsi Magome, Anchorage Daily News, 31 Aug. 2023 Callender said 40 vessels made derelict from Idalia remain from Taylor to Pinellas and Hillsborough counties. David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 26 Feb. 2024 The government pushed around 3,000 people out of derelict buildings and squats and into better lodging, albeit in towns farther away, according to Antoine de Clerck, a coordinator for Reverse Side of the Medal, a charity that aids vulnerable people. Catherine Porter, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2024 But most of the resplendent old churches, pagodas, and monasteries were now derelict shells or razed to the ground—the Khmer Rouge had demolished many places of worship. Chantha Nguon, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Feb. 2024 The derelict houses of Mysterium Way were each missing something important—one lacked walls; another, a roof; another was just a mailbox nestled amongst a bushel of reeds. Lizz Schumer, Peoplemag, 12 Feb. 2024 The facade of a derelict house in Mau Ping Shan Uk, a village located deep in one of the territory's country parks. Rebecca Cairns, CNN, 12 Feb. 2024 Five of the 15 hearings were part of the committee’s effort to investigate whether Mayorkas was derelict of duty. Misty Severi, Washington Examiner, 12 Jan. 2024 In 1910 they were rediscovered, but far from being a derelict old cave system, the Fairy Grottoes had developed stunning multicolored mineral deposits. Kaye Toal, Travel + Leisure, 7 Jan. 2024
Noun
There is something about its cheap hotels, tacky bars, blue-plate diners and derelict trailer parks that make my heart skip a beat. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 8 Mar. 2024 Another $2 billion would go toward a state program that gives local governments money to transform derelict hotels and motels into housing, as well as building new housing, intended for people who are homeless or at risk of being so, or who have mental health or substance abuse problems. Andrew Sheeler, Sacramento Bee, 5 Feb. 2024 The case is an example of how serious state and local law enforcement take derelict boats. David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 26 Feb. 2024 The derelict rail bridge stretches across a busy north London street, green foliage peeking out of the gaps between the beams overhead, where bright blue paint flakes from rusting steel. Megan Specia, New York Times, 27 Jan. 2024 When the foreclosure program first began in St. Petersburg, Weidner told the Tampa Bay Times the focus would be on derelict properties owned by real estate speculators hiding behind networks of shell companies. Ben Wieder, Miami Herald, 26 Jan. 2024 Investigators have not determined what caused the Oct. 30 fire or similar blazes that destroyed two other derelict mansions over the past few years in West Baltimore. Dan Belson, Baltimore Sun, 16 Jan. 2024 On the other hand, sitting closed and derelict has done little for it or the neighborhood. Curbed, 11 Dec. 2023 Many of the survivors of the Albert Street fire have moved into nearby derelict buildings. John Eligon, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2023

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

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Noun

Latin derelictus, past participle of derelinquere to abandon, from de- + relinquere to leave — more at relinquish

First Known Use

Adjective

1649, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1670, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of derelict was in 1649

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Dictionary Entries Near derelict

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

derelict

1 of 2 adjective
der·​e·​lict ˈder-ə-ˌlikt How to pronounce derelict (audio)
1
: abandoned by the owner or occupant
a derelict ship
2
: negligent sense 2, neglectful
derelict in one's duty

derelict

2 of 2 noun
1
: something voluntarily abandoned
especially : a ship abandoned on the high seas
2
: a person without apparent means of support : bum

More from Merriam-Webster on derelict

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