Word
derailment
Phoneticsde·rail·ment, stress on the second syllable
US/dɪˈɹeɪɫmənt/
UK/dɪɹˈeɪlmənt/
Countable & uncountable
Definition
n. the act of a train coming off its tracks, or a situation that stops a plan from moving forward. It can also describe a person's mind wandering away from the main topic.
n. the act of a train being forced off its rails; by extension, any event that prevents a process or plan from continuing as intended. Often used metaphorically to describe a loss of focus or a deviation from a logical argument.
Examples
“The heavy snow caused a derailment on the main line.”
“A sudden technical failure led to the derailment of the entire project, forcing the team to start over from scratch.”
“The speaker's tendency to share personal anecdotes often resulted in a derailment of the central thesis, leaving the audience confused about the original argument.”
Examples
simple
“The heavy snow caused a derailment on the main line.”
contextual
“A sudden technical failure led to the derailment of the entire project, forcing the team to start over from scratch.”
complex
“The speaker's tendency to share personal anecdotes often resulted in a derailment of the central thesis, leaving the audience confused about the original argument.”
Real-World Examples
“Then our carriage jumped vertically upwards and we could tell it was a derailment.” “Told as a memoir, with Mira looking back on the derailment of her life and chronicling society’s changing perceptions of agency and privilege, this literary thriller is a masterfully executed ace.” “Emergency services said they were working at the scene of a derailment near Lewes, in East Sussex, on Thursday.” Word family
VERB
NOUN
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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