Definition of the word derailment

The word "derailment" has its roots in the 17th century, when railways were first being developed. At that time, a "rail" referred to a railway track or a bar of iron used to support a wheel or a bar. "Derail" originally meant "to throw off the rail" or "to disconnect from the rail". In the context of railways, derailing referred to the act of a train or wagon coming off the tracks, either intentionally or unintentionally. Over time, the term evolved to include any situation where a train or other vehicle left its intended course or deviated from its normal operation. Today, the term "derailment" is used in a broader sense to describe any unexpected or significant departure from a planned or intended course of action, whether it be in a literal sense or figuratively, such as a project failing to meet its goals or a company facing a major setback.