delay
[ dih-ley ]
/ dɪˈleɪ /
verb (used with object)
to put off to a later time; defer; postpone: The pilot delayed the flight until the weather cleared.
to impede the process or progress of; retard; hinder: The dense fog delayed the plane's landing.
verb (used without object)
to put off action; linger; loiter: He delayed until it was too late.
noun
the act of delaying; procrastination; loitering.
an instance of being delayed: There were many delays during the train trip.
the period or amount of time during which something is delayed: The ballet performance began after a half-hour delay.
Words nearby delay
Origin of delay
1225–75; Middle English delaien (v.), delai(e) (noun) < Old French delaier (v.), delai (noun)
SYNONYMS FOR delay
OTHER WORDS FROM delay
synonym study for delay
1. See defer1.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Examples from the Web for delay
British Dictionary definitions for delay
delay
/ (dɪˈleɪ) /
verb
(tr) to put off to a later time; defer
(tr) to slow up, hinder, or cause to be late; detain
(intr) to be irresolute or put off doing something; procrastinate
(intr) to linger; dawdle
noun
the act or an instance of delaying or being delayed
the interval between one event and another; lull; interlude
Derived forms of delay
delayer, nounWord Origin for delay
C13: from Old French delaier, from des- off + laier, variant of laissier to leave, from Latin laxāre to loosen, from laxus slack, lax
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