derelict

1. falling into ruins; neglected; dilapidated

2. a person abandoned or neglected by society; a social outcast or vagrant

3. property deserted or abandoned by an owner, occupant, etc.

4. Nautical a vessel abandoned at sea

Collins Discovery Encyclopedia, 1st edition © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

Derelict

Land or buildings that have been deserted or abandoned, or damaged by serious neglect or other processes, which in their existing state are unsightly and incapable of use without restoration or renovation or other treatment.

derelict

[′der·ə‚likt]

(navigation)

Any property abandoned at sea, often of sufficient size as to constitute a menace to navigation; especially an abandoned vessel.

Mentioned in

References in classic literature

There is some talk overhead of "coming round to tea on Friday," a brief report of the derelict's fate, and Tim volunteers as he descends: "For an A.

View in context

However, I object strongly to the Dips being called derelict; what''s wrong with having open, uncluttered grassy space where people can play, walk dogs, fly kites, have picnics - all just a short walk from the beach?

Not derelict; LETTERS to the EDITOR

A TEENAGER was being treated for severe burns last night after he caught fire while inside a derelict house.

TEEN BURNED IN FIRE AT DERELICT HOUSES; Calls for demolition after horrific petrol inferno

CONSULTANT Jane Fuller, 50, and her husband writer Robin Pratt, 52, liked the pretty village of Pepieux so much that they're turning around their second derelict property there.

IT'S THE JOY OF WRECKS; CASE STUDY: JANE FULLER

They first dealt with a fire in a row of four derelict cottages at Clashbenny Farm, Glencarse.

Farm fires probed

But the industrial space--and, specifically, the reclaimed site, once derelict or abandoned--has become as much an ideological domain as a merely convenient physical plant.

Space opera

There are almost 8000 hectares of derelict land in Scotland - and a further 4627 hectares lying vacant.

Working on the land; Derelict sites have turned vast areas of Scotland into eyesores. But they are gradually being brought back into use, reports JOHN McEACHRAN

The incident took place on Ellison Street, in Hebburn, where smoke was seen coming from a derelict building.

Hebburn fire: Fire crews put out blaze at former South Tyneside shipyard building; Fire crews were called to a blaze at Ellison Street in Hebburn at around 9.45am on Thursday

Developer Chesham Estates submitted the proposals in July for the derelict space left by the former Honey Club, which was demolished earlier this year.

Seafront hotel plan backed

A DELIBERATE blaze at a derelict property was tackled by fire-fighters in Stockton.

Tyres set ablaze in derelict house yard

POLICE are investigating a blaze at a derelict factory in Walsall, which left a 37-year-old man with severe burns.

Man suffers severe burns in factory fire