lagging

¹ American  

[lag-ing] / ˈlæg ɪŋ /

noun

1. the act of falling or staying behind.

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adjective

1. lingering; loitering; slow and dragging.

   lagging steps.

lagging ² American  

[lag-ing] / ˈlæg ɪŋ /

noun

1. the act of covering a boiler, oil tank, etc., with heat-insulating material.

2. the covering formed.

3. the material used.

4. a number of boards or the like joined together side by side to line an excavation.

5. Masonry. a number of lags, taken as a whole.

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lagging British  

/ ˈlæɡɪŋ /

noun

1. insulating material wrapped around pipes, boilers, etc, or laid in a roof loft, to prevent loss of heat

2. the act or process of applying lagging

3. a wooden frame used to support an arch during construction

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Other Word Forms

• laggingly
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of lagging¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; lag ¹ + -ing ¹, -ing ² ( def. )

Origin of lagging²

First recorded in 1850–55; lag ³ + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

Appeared in the January 8, 2026, print edition as 'DuPont Restructuring Yields Lagging Returns'.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 8, 2026

Lagging wage growth could weigh on job mobility.

From Barron's • Dec. 19, 2025

Lagging in the polls in July, he was denied a spot on the debate stage with Trump and President Biden.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 21, 2024

Lagging toxicology reports often mean prosecutors will delay filing a case, said Freedheim.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 8, 2023

Hidden but near at hand, Lagging but sure, the Furies of the grave Are watching for thee to thy ruinous harm, With thine own evil to entangle thee.

From The Seven Plays in English Verse by Sophocles

Related Words

• underdeveloped