dereliction

noun

der·​e·​lic·​tion ˌder-ə-ˈlik-shən 

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

b

: fault, shortcoming

Synonyms

• abandonment
• desertion

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

His dereliction of duty could be considered malfeasance and disqualification from running. —Joe Soucheray, Twin Cities, 27 Sep. 2025

Central Park, after sliding into dereliction through the 1970s, now tends to itself, thanks to a private conservancy, wealthy neighbors, and its superstar status. —Justin Davidson, Curbed, 9 Sep. 2025

Three Army Reserve leaders were disciplined for dereliction of duty. —Jade Walker, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2025

There are consequences for dereliction of duty. —Aysha Bagchi, USA Today, 5 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for dereliction

• antifriction
• benediction
• contradiction
• crucifixion
• interdiction
• jurisdiction
• malediction
• addiction
• affliction
• constriction
• conviction
• depiction

Kids Definition

dereliction

noun

der·​e·​lic·​tion ˌder-ə-ˈlik-shən 

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 

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