SYNONYMS | EXAMPLES | WORD ORIGIN 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.
Origin of delay 1225–75; Middle English delaien (v.), delai(e ) (noun) < Old French delaier (v.), delai (noun)
Related forms de·lay·a·ble , adjective de·lay·er , noun de·lay·ing·ly , adverb pre·de·lay , noun, verb un·de·lay·a·ble , adjective un·de·lay·ing , adjective un·de·lay·ing·ly , adverb Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Related Words for delay stoppage ,
lag ,
setback ,
moratorium ,
postponement ,
suspension ,
problem ,
wait ,
obstruct ,
defer ,
restrict ,
suspend ,
bar ,
detain ,
shelve ,
prevent ,
withhold ,
stay ,
prolong ,
stall Examples from the Web for delay Contemporary Examples of delay The child almost died from the delay of an hour in seeking help.
Dr. Melson says abstinence only training shows no delay in sexual activity.
This is a case where delay is denial—with potentially deadly results.
There was, I am told, a two-hour delay caused by concerns about the temperature of the fuel.
But delay hurts, deprivation is unfair, and waiting (and waiting) matters.
Historical Examples of delay Some horrible accident might happen to delay us here thirty minutes.
Wilson, chafing under the delay , was obliged to admit to himself that it was best.
In the making of fancies and jests he sees a chance of delay .
Yates did not like to ask the cause of the delay ; so the three sat there silently.
The idea never occurred to her that there should be the slightest hindrance or the least delay .
British Dictionary definitions for delay 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
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noun the act or an instance of delaying or being delayed
the interval between one event and another; lull; interlude
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Derived Forms delayer , noun Word 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
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for delay v. c.1300, from Old French delaiier , from de- "away, from" (see de- ) + laier "leave, let," probably a variant of Old French laissier , from Latin laxare "slacken, undo" (see lax ). Related: Delayed ; delaying .
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n. mid-13c., from Old French delaie , from delaiier (see delay (v.)).
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
