derail

American  

[dee-reyl] / diˈreɪl /

verb (used with object)

1. to cause (a train, streetcar, etc.) to run off the rails of a track.

2. to cause to fail or become deflected from a purpose; reduce or delay the chances for success or development of.

   Being drafted into the army derailed his career for two years.

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verb (used without object)

1. (of a train, streetcar, etc.) to run off the rails of a track.

2. to become derailed; go astray.

noun

1. a track device for derailing rolling stock in an emergency.

derail British  

/ dɪˈreɪl /

verb

1. to go or cause to go off the rails, as a train, tram, etc

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noun

1. Also called: derailer.  a device designed to make rolling stock or locomotives leave the rails to avoid a collision or accident

Other Word Forms

• derailment noun

Etymology

Origin of derail

First recorded in 1840–50; from French dérailler, equivalent to dé- negative prefix + -railler, verbal derivative of rail “bar, beam” (from English ); de- rail ¹

Example Sentences

With tens of thousands of components, small deviations can derail performance, he says, so engineers adjust, test and repeat.

From The Wall Street Journal

Sebastian Rucci, the chief executive of Imperial Valley Computer Manufacturing, is now suing the city alleging it unfairly worked to derail the data center.

From Los Angeles Times

The fight now threatens to derail baseball’s future.

From The Wall Street Journal

“It threatens to derail market sentiment at a time when asset valuations are high.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Capital Economics senior Europe economist Franziska Palmas said the survey and other recent indicators suggest "the renewed rise in energy prices could derail the tentative recovery in the German economy seen in recent months".

From Barron's

Related Words

• block
• deter
• filibuster
• hamper
• hinder
• impede
• interfere
• stall
• stonewall
• thwart