derail

play

verb de·rail \di-ˈrāl, dē-\

Definition of derail

transitive verb
1 : to cause to run off the rails
2a : to obstruct the progress of : frustrate security problems derailed the tourb : to upset the stability or composure of divorce … can seriously derail an employee — Joanne Gordon
intransitive verb
: to leave the rails

derailment

play \-mənt\ noun

See derail defined for English-language learners

See derail defined for kids

Examples of derail in a Sentence

The train derailed in heavy snow.
The train was derailed by heavy snow.

Recent Examples of derail from the Web

Phone Hacking In the U.K., there’s also a lingering civil case that dates back to Murdoch’s previous attempt to acquire Sky, which was derailed in 2011 amid a phone-hacking scandal.

— joe mayes, Bloomberg.com, "Murdoch at Crossroads Weighing Fox's Next Move in Sky Bid", 4 July 2017
Four cars of the train, which were carrying about 200 passengers, derailed on Sunday around 2:30 p.m. PT near Chambers Bay.

— CBS News, "Amtrak train derails in Washington; no reports of injuries, authorities say", 2 July 2017
Two Metropolitan Transportation Authority workers supervising repairs to an area of track in Harlem where a subway train derailed on Tuesday have been suspended without pay.

— paul berger, WSJ, "MTA Suspends Supervisors in NYC Subway Derailment", 28 June 2017
Then an anonymous complaint derailed their chances.

— caroline picard, Good Housekeeping, "Little Girl Was Reportedly Cut From a Soccer Tournament Because She Looks "Like a Boy"", 7 June 2017
The South Shore Line train, which originated in Dune Park, derailed Tuesday near the final stop at Millennium station in the Loop business district.

— Post-Tribune, "South Shore Line train derails entering Chicago station", 6 June 2017
He was honored with a glass trophy for helping to derail a bipartisan bill aimed at overhauling U.S. immigration law.

— the washington post, AL.com, "Meet the 'shadow' network of charities, political warriors behind Trump's rise", 4 June 2017
Even after serious leg injuries derailed each of his first two seasons, White's drive hasn't diminished.

— dan wiederer, chicagotribune.com, "With training camp nearing, Bears receiving corps a mess of uncertainty", 3 June 2017
Rather than be frustrated over what happened, Patrick has taken a philosophical approach to the setback that partially derailed his third season with Brandon of the Western Hockey League.

— ap, USA TODAY, "Potential top NHL pick Nolan Patrick discusses battle with sports hernia injury", 2 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'derail'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of derail

French dérailler to throw off the track, from dé- de- + rail, from English

NEW!

First Known Use: 1850

See Words from the same year

DERAIL Defined for English Language Learners

derail

play

verb

Definition of derail for English Language Learners

of a train : to leave its tracks
: to cause (a train) to leave its tracks

DERAIL Defined for Kids

derail

play

verb de·rail \di-ˈrāl\

Definition of derail for Students

derailed

;

derailing

1 : to leave or cause to leave the rails The train derailed.
2 : to make progress or success difficult for Injuries derailed his plan for a championship.