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Meaning of derail

Source language: EnglishDictionary language: English

derail

Pronunciation:/dəˈɹeɪl/

noun

Definitions

  1. A device placed on railway tracks causing a train to derail.

    Example: The derail was placed deliberately so that the train would fall into the river.

  2. An instance of diverting a conversation or debate from its original topic.

verb

Definitions

  1. To cause to come off the tracks.

    Example: The train was destroyed when it was derailed by the penny.

  2. To come off the tracks.

  3. To deviate from the previous course or direction.

    Example: The conversation derailed once James brought up politics.

  4. To cause to deviate from a set course or direction; derange.

    Example: The protesting students derailed the professor's lecture.