delay

American  

[dih-ley] / dɪˈleɪ /

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

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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 British  

/ 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

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noun

1. the act or an instance of delaying or being delayed

2. the interval between one event and another; lull; interlude

Usage

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.

Related Words

See defer ¹.

Other Word Forms

• delayable adjective
• delayer noun
• delayingly adverb
• predelay noun
• undelayable adjective
• undelaying adjective
• undelayingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of delay

First recorded in 1225–75; Middle English delaien (verb), delai(e) (noun), from Old French delaier (verb), delai (noun)

Explanation

A delay is a wait or a postponement. An unexpected delay before the start of a play might make the audience restless and noisy. During a delay, you have to wait around for things to begin. Delay is also a verb: "That burnt pizza is going to delay dinner for at least another hour." You can also delay by loitering or hanging around: "The performer always delays when he's nervous about singing in front of a crowd." Delay comes from the Old French delaiier, from the roots de-, "not," and laier, "leave."

Example Sentences

But the not-working group had been functioning quite well, at least as a charade for delay and obfuscation.

From Salon • Apr. 20, 2026

After a long delay, a $22-million incentive program launched on April 6 to support residents rebuilding all-electric in California disaster areas served by investor-owned utilities like Southern California Edison.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 18, 2026

I plan to delay claiming my own Social Security benefits until at least age 67.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 17, 2026

That marks a difference from where he stood earlier this year, when he described rate reductions as the single missing ingredient for stronger economic growth and argued the Fed had no reason to delay.

From Barron's • Apr. 16, 2026

These threatening harangues managed to delay matters, but the Deep South lacked the votes.

From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis

Related Words

• adjourn
• bar
• block
• defer
• detain
• hamper
• hold
• impede
• keep
• obstruct
• postpone
• prevent
• prolong
• put off
• restrict
• shelve
• stall
• stay
• suspend
• withhold