derailleur

[ dih-rey-ler ]

/ dɪˈreɪ lər /

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noun

a gear-shifting mechanism on a bicycle that shifts the drive chain from one sprocket wheel to another.

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Origin of derailleur

1945–50; <French dérailleur literally, a device causing disengagement or derailing, equivalent to déraill(er) to derail + -eur-eur

Words nearby derailleur

der., deracinate, deradicalize, deraign, derail, derailleur, derailment, Derain, derange, deranged, derangement

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use derailleur in a sentence

Then came chain drives that let you use equal-sized wheels, and freewheels that allowed you to coast, and derailleurs that allowed you to change gears.
Why Your Bike’s Gear Ratio Is Less Important than You Think|Fred Dreier|July 21, 2022|Outside Online
Good to know As part of your beginner triathlon training, consider it mandatory to master basic bike maintenance skills such as changing a flat tire and minor derailleur adjustments.
Beginner Triathlon Training: Everything You Need to Know Before Your First Triathlon|cobrien|January 11, 2022|Outside Online
In our example, the bike manufacturer might have a step-by-step troubleshooting video or a content creator who’s passionate about cycling might have a “how to” for a broken derailleur.
What the latest changes to Google Search will mean for advertisers|Google|November 23, 2021|Digiday
Google will be able to identify the problem — in this case with the rear derailleur — and connect riders to helpful information across the web to fix it, like a YouTube video.
What the latest changes to Google Search will mean for advertisers|Google|November 23, 2021|Digiday

Shift the derailleur back to the smallest cog or chainring, loosen the cable bolt, and take up any slack before tightening it again.
Maintenance That Will Prep Your Bike for Spring|Joe Lindsey|March 29, 2021|Outside Online

British Dictionary definitions for derailleur

derailleur

/ (dəˈreɪljə) /

noun

a mechanism for changing gear on bicycles, consisting of a device that lifts the driving chain from one sprocket wheel to another of different size

Word Origin for derailleur

French dérailleur derailer

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012