Definition of DERELICT (original) (raw)
1
: abandoned especially by the owner or occupant
1
usually disparaging : a person who has no established residence and who wanders from place to place without lawful or visible means of support
2
: something voluntarily abandoned
especially : a ship abandoned on the [high seas](/dictionary/high sea)
Did you know?
The Latin verb relinquere, meaning "to leave behind," left behind a few English derivatives, including derelict. Something derelict has been left behind, or at least appears that way. In another sense, someone who is derelict leaves behind or neglects their duties or obligations. Another descendant of relinquere is relinquish, meaning "to leave behind," "to give up," or "to release." Relic is another example of a word that ultimately comes from relinquere. Relics, in the original sense of the term, referred to things treasured for their association with a saint or martyr—that is, objects saints and martyrs had left behind. Relinquere also gives English its name for the containers or shrines which hold relics, reliquary.
Synonyms
Examples of derelict in a Sentence
Adjective
The officer was charged with being derelict in his duty. the guards were judged derelict in their duty Noun
It was a run-down neighborhood filled with drugs addicts and derelicts. a section of the city that seemed to be frequented mostly by derelicts
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
The harbor had a derelict air, its large docks empty and the plaza devoid of people. —
Greg Jackson, The New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2024 In the film, the crew of the Nostromo investigates a distress call from a derelict spaceship on moon LV-426 and encounters the deadly Xenomorph. —Maddie Garfinkle, Peoplemag, 16 Aug. 2024
However, rumors that the derelict mansion in the video was Jordan’s have since been debunked. —Megan Johnson, Architectural Digest, 19 Sep. 2024 Maine’s housing stock skews old, with high rates of derelict and seasonally vacant properties. —Donovan Lynch, NBC News, 4 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for derelict 
Word History
Etymology
Adjective and Noun
Latin derelictus, past participle of derelinquere to abandon, from de- + relinquere to leave — more at relinquish
First Known Use
Adjective
1649, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Noun
1670, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Time Traveler
The first known use of derelict was in 1649
Dictionary Entries Near derelict
Cite this Entry
“Derelict.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/derelict. Accessed 17 Nov. 2024.
Share
More from Merriam-Webster on derelict
Last Updated: 16 Nov 2024 - Updated example sentences
Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!