derailment

Part of Speech

Noun

Pronunciation

/dɪˈreɪl.mənt/ (American & British English)

Definitions

1. The act of a train or other vehicle going off its tracks.
2. A failure or interruption in a planned course of action.

Usage Examples

• The investigators are analyzing the cause of the train derailment.
• His sudden illness led to the derailment of his career plans.
• Safety measures can prevent derailments on railway tracks.

Etymology

Derived from the French word "dérailler" (to go off track), combined with the suffix "-ment," indicating an action or process. First recorded in the 19th century.

Synonyms

• Train accident
• Disruption
• Failure
• Interruption

Antonyms

• Continuation
• Success
• Progress

Translations

Regional Pronunciation Variations

• American English: /dɪˈreɪl.mənt/
• British English: /dɪˈreɪl.mənt/
• French: /de.ʁaj.mɑ̃/

Historical Usage

The term was first used in the 19th century to describe railway accidents. Over time, it gained metaphorical meaning in various fields such as politics, business, and psychology.

Cultural Nuances

In many cultures, derailments symbolize disruption or unexpected failure. In corporate and personal development contexts, "career derailment" is a commonly used term.

More Information

Derailments can be caused by track defects, mechanical failures, or human error. Safety regulations and advanced technology have significantly reduced their occurrence over the years.