déraillement

/de.ʁɛj.mɑ̃/
nounIntermediate
general

The act of a train or vehicle coming off its tracks or rails, often due to mechanical failure or external factors.

Les enquêteurs ont déterminé que le déraillement était dû à une défaillance des freins.

Investigators determined that the derailment was caused by a brake failure.

💡

Can also be used metaphorically to describe a situation going off course.

Collocations

déraillement de traintrain derailmentcause du déraillementcause of the derailment

Synonyms

Antonyms

💡Pro Tip

Common Usage

This term is most commonly used in news reports about train accidents.

📖Word Origin

From the French verb 'dérailler' (to derail), composed of 'dé-' (off) and 'rail' (rail).

📝Usage Notes

Primarily used in the context of transportation accidents, particularly involving trains.

Word Breakdown

dé-
off, away
prefix
+
rail
rail (as in train tracks)
root
+
-ment
action or result
suffix
Dictionnaire Français-Anglais