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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Taylor family arrived at their cabin to find it in a state of dereliction. Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025 One verdict is already declared in the Karen Read murder case: The Massachusetts State Police are guilty in the first degree of dereliction of duty. Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 17 June 2025 What with weakened teams and consistently pathetic performances, their league form on both their parts has been pathetic enough to be termed a dereliction of duty. Tim Spiers, New York Times, 22 May 2025 Already insurance carriers are cancelling homeowner policies and doubling or more the premiums on many others as one consequence of our city government’s dereliction. U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for dereliction

Word History

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of dereliction was in 1597

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dereliction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dereliction. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.

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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