derailment

[ dee-reyl-muhnt ]

noun

1. the act or process of derailing.
2. Psychiatry. loosening of associations.

Word History and Origins

Origin of derailment¹

1940–45; derail + -ment, or < French déraillement

Example Sentences

The kind of “catastrophic event” that could cause something like this would be a crash or a derailment in which a cell is damaged, says Jon Hughes, managing director of UK Fire Training.

From BBC

Their last home match was the best it has been under him – a riotous derailment of Ireland's Grand Slam express back in March.

From BBC

Flames and smoke billowed from burning chemicals, and an acrid odor radiated from the derailment area as chemicals entered the air and spilled into a nearby creek.

From Salon

When the train derailment happened in New Palestine, Ohio, who was one of the first people to show up?

From BBC

Most people who received money from Norfolk Southern in the wake of last year’s fiery train derailment in eastern Ohio won’t have to pay taxes on millions of dollars in aid payments after all.

From Seattle Times