delay

[dih-ley]

verb (used with object)

1. to put off to a later time; defer; postpone.

   The pilot delayed the flight until the weather cleared.

2. to impede the process or progress of; retard; hinder.

   The dense fog delayed the plane's landing.

   Synonyms: detain, slow

verb (used without object)

1. to put off action; linger; dally.

   He delayed until it was too late.

   Synonyms: tarry, procrastinate

noun

1. the act of delaying; procrastination.

   Synonyms: loitering

2. an instance of being delayed.

   There were many delays during the train trip.

   Synonyms: respite, deferment

3. the period or amount of time during which something is delayed.

   The ballet performance began after a half-hour delay.

delay

/ dɪˈleɪ /

verb

1. (tr) to put off to a later time; defer

2. (tr) to slow up, hinder, or cause to be late; detain

3. (intr) to be irresolute or put off doing something; procrastinate

4. (intr) to linger; dawdle

noun

1. the act or an instance of delaying or being delayed

2. the interval between one event and another; lull; interlude

Other Word Forms

• delayable adjective
• delayer noun
• delayingly adverb
• predelay noun
• undelayable adjective
• undelaying adjective
• undelayingly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of delay¹

First recorded in 1225–75; Middle English delaien (verb), delai(e) (noun), from Old French delaier (verb), delai (noun)

Word History and Origins

Origin of delay¹

C13: from Old French delaier, from des- off + laier, variant of laissier to leave, from Latin laxāre to loosen, from laxus slack, _lax

Synonym Study

See defer ¹.

Example Sentences

They found the urine albumin level was 55% lower in those taking baxdrostat than in those taking a placebo, comparable to the reduction seen with medications that delay the progression of kidney disease.

Read more on Science Daily

O’Keefe delayed service “for several hundred other riders for six minutes,” police alleged, and was handcuffed and removed from the train.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The report cited a delay in communicating evacuation orders, which resulted in spontaneous evacuations without structured traffic control, causing people to block routes to the fire, the report said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

She announced she would delay six concerts at Caesars Palace scheduled for December, but did not share additional information about her condition at the time.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Johnson has delayed swearing her in, most recently citing his colleagues’ absence amid the government shutdown as a justification.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• adjourn 
• bar 
• block 
• defer 
• detain 
• hamper 
• hold 
• impede 
• keep 
• obstruct 
• postpone 
• prevent 
• prolong 
• put off 
• restrict 
• shelve 
• stall 
• stay 
• suspend 
• withhold 

When To Use

What does delay mean?

As a verb, delay means to put something off or postpone it until later, or to cause something to take longer or to be late.As a noun, delay means an instance of something being postponed till later, or the amount of time between when something was supposed to happen and when it does happen (the lull or interlude).Example: The convention has not been canceled—it has been delayed until we can find a proper venue.