derail /ˌdiːˈɹeɪl/verb 4noun 2forms 3 verb4 •To cause to come off the tracks.The train was destroyed when it was derailed by the collision. •To come off the tracks.Fortunately, the CrossCountry train did not derail when it struck the mud. It could easily have been much worse. — 2020 •(figurative) To deviate from the previous course or direction.The conversation derailed once James brought up politics. •(figurative) To cause to deviate from a set course or direction.The protesting students derailed the professor's lecture. noun2 •An instance of diverting a conversation or debate from its original topic. •Synonym of derailer: A device placed on railway tracks in order to cause a train to derail.The derail was placed deliberately so that the train would fall into the river. formsderailed · derailing · derails
