/ Dictionary / Index D derelict: Meaning and Definition of Find definitions for: der•e•lict Pronunciation: (der'u-likt), [key] — adj. left or deserted, as by the owner or guardian; abandoned: a derelict ship. neglectful of duty; delinquent; negligent. —n. a person abandoned by society, esp. a person without a permanent home and means of support; vagrant; bum. a vessel abandoned in open water by its crew without any hope or intention of returning. personal property abandoned or thrown away by the owner. one guilty of neglect of duty. land left dry by a change of the water line. Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease. See also: derelict (Thesaurus) Derek dereliction Related Content Daily Word Quiz: arid Analogy of the Day: Today’s Analogy Spelling Bee: Today’s Spelling Bee Frequently Misspelled Words Frequently Mispronounced Words Easily Confused Words Writing & Language