der·e·lic·tion 
/ˌderəˈlɪkʃən/ noun
/ˌderəˈlɪkʃən/ noun formal 1 [noncount] a : the act of no longer caring for, using, or doing something : the act of abandoning something
▪ the dereliction of a cause by its leaders
b : the condition of being no longer cared for
▪ The building is in a state of dereliction. [=is in poor condition from being abandoned] 2 [singular] law : failure to do your job or duty : failure to do what you should do
▪ The officer was formally charged with dereliction of duty. ▪ a serious dereliction of duty ◊Dereliction is usually used to refer to the crime that is committed when a military officer or police officer fails to do an important part of his or her job.
▪ the dereliction of a cause by its leaders
b : the condition of being no longer cared for
▪ The building is in a state of dereliction. [=is in poor condition from being abandoned]
▪ The officer was formally charged with dereliction of duty. ▪ a serious dereliction of duty ◊Dereliction is usually used to refer to the crime that is committed when a military officer or police officer fails to do an important part of his or her job.
