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
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
Schrader delights in mythologizing his own wanton dereliction of self-care.
—
Stephen Rodrick, Variety, 9 May 2024
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
See all Example Sentences for dereliction 
Stephen Rodrick, Variety, 9 May 2024
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
See all Example Sentences for dereliction
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.
Dictionary Entries Near dereliction
Cite this Entry
“Dereliction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dereliction. Accessed 29 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
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