WordGarden.iodereliction
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /dˌɛrɪlˈɪkʃən/
US
- /ˌdɛrəˈlɪkʃən/
Meanings
Noun
failure to carry out a duty or responsibility properly
the state of being abandoned and left in poor condition, especially in land or buildings
Beyond the definition
Imagine a lighthouse keeper who simply stops tending the light—that is the essence of dereliction of duty. It means abandoning or neglecting a responsibility, whether it involves a physical object, a specific task, or a moral obligation. A crumbling building left untended shows dereliction; so does a person failing to care for those they are bound to protect. The word carries a sense of serious neglect and often implies grave consequences.
Dereliction isn't just about accidentally forgetting something; it usually points to serious neglect, or even acting as if the responsibility doesn't matter. You might speak of a "dereliction of leadership" when someone in authority fails to act, or a "dereliction of principles" when someone gives up their core beliefs. It is a serious word, often used in legal, military, or moral contexts to describe a significant breach of trust.
Dereliction refers to serious neglect or abandonment of a duty, obligation, or responsibility. It is more than a small mistake; it suggests that someone failed to uphold what was expected of them, whether through carelessness or willful disregard. Think of an ancient manor left to the elements—that represents dereliction in its most visual form. The stones aren't simply old; they are suffering from the effects of being abandoned and left uncared for by those responsible for them.
Historically, "dereliction" was closely associated with land or property; a piece of land being "derelict" meant it had been forsaken by its owner. Today, however, it is more commonly used to describe a failure in professional or ethical duty. A soldier who abandons their post without orders could be accused of dereliction of duty, and a public official who ignores a burgeoning crisis could be accused of a dereliction of their sworn responsibilities.
The word carries significant weight because it suggests not just inaction, but a violation of standards or a breach of trust. You might read about a "dereliction of duty" in a court-martial or a political scandal, where those in power failed to execute the requirements of their office. It can also appear in literature to describe a person's moral decline, often phrased as a "dereliction of virtue." Ultimately, if something is left untended, ignored, or abandoned to its fate—especially when there was a clear obligation to care for it—you are witnessing dereliction.
Examples
- 1
Professional duty
The officer was dismissed for dereliction of duty after he ignored repeated safety warnings.
- Phrasedereliction of duty
a serious failure to do what your job requires
- 2
Parental responsibility
Leaving the children alone overnight was a shocking dereliction of parental responsibility.
- 3
Public agency
The inquiry described the agency's silence as a dereliction of its responsibility to protect the public.
See also
Similar
- neglect
- negligence
- neglect of duty
Shades of meaning
- lapse
- nonfeasance
- malpractice
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- dereliction of duty
- gross dereliction
Word family
Explore
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- derelictionnoun
Forms
- derelictionspluralnoun