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

• delayer noun
• delayable adjective
• 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

So traffic delays could be significant Saturday with the U.S. military planning to fire live artillery rounds over Interstate 5 in Southern California.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Because the annuity premium is immediate and certain, while the benefits are delayed and depend on one’s survival, some people see annuitization as a potential loss, rather than as protection against outliving their assets.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Airports across the United States have been experiencing significant flight delays recently because of a shortage of air traffic controllers, who have been required to work without pay since a government shutdown began on Oct.

Read more on Salon

By one measure External link, these local rebellions have sunk or delayed tens of billions of dollars worth of potential data center projects.

Read more on Barron's

By one measure External link, these local rebellions have sunk or delayed tens of billions of dollars worth of potential data center projects.

Read more on Barron's

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.