lagging

¹

[lag-ing]

noun

1. the act of falling or staying behind.

adjective

1. lingering; loitering; slow and dragging.

   lagging steps.

lagging

²

[lag-ing]

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.

lagging

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• laggingly adverb

Word History and Origins

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

Foster’s pillars of discipline, respect and enthusiasm clearly never took hold given his players’ repeated penalties, lagging preparation for lesser opponents and lack of passion on the sideline.

From Los Angeles Times

One bill aims to raise lagging reading skills among California children by mandating how schools teach this critical subject.

From Los Angeles Times

Installing lagging over kitchen pipes and sealing cracks in the windows in the front room also made a huge difference to her.

From BBC

He isn’t the first president to blame unfair trade relationships for America’s lagging car exports.

From Los Angeles Times

She welcomed the "overdue" changes, saying that the statutory guidance "is now five years old" and "lagging behind life experiences of young people".

From BBC

Related Words

• underdeveloped