delay
Americanverb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
noun
-
the act of delaying; procrastination.
- Synonyms:
- 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.
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
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.
Synonym Usage
See defer 1.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
-
delayernoun
-
predelaynoun
-
delayableadjective
-
undelayableadjective
-
undelayingadjective
-
delayinglyadverb
-
undelayinglyadverb
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
delaysimple
-
delayssimple
-
have delayedperfect
-
has delayedperfect
-
am delayingprogressive
-
are delayingprogressive
-
is delayingprogressive
-
have been delayingperfect progressive
-
has been delayingperfect progressive
Past
-
delayedsimple
-
had delayedperfect
-
was delayingprogressive
-
were delayingprogressive
-
had been delayingperfect progressive
Future
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."
Vocabulary lists containing delay
Common Five-letter Words for Wordle, List 3
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Greetings, World Traveler! — List 2
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"Building Design and Construction Handbook," Vocabulary from Section 1
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Paramount agreed to delay the deal through June 2027, the company said in a court filing on Friday.
From Barron's ● Jul. 24, 2026
In June, Carney announced that Canada agreed to a US request to delay the opening of the bridge to allow for further negotiations.
From BBC ● Jul. 24, 2026
Asking whether the woman should delay Social Security benefits until 70, Claude’s response was “thoughtful and balanced, something similar to what I’d tell a client,” he said.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 24, 2026
He drew a warning for intentionally delaying the game, resulting in an even longer delay while Boone, Caballero and the umpires hashed everything out.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 23, 2026
She couldn't be rash and risk getting poisoned, because a hospital visit would delay her plan.
From "The Marvellers" by Dhonielle Clayton
Over the past six months, prices for smuggled Nvidia chips have more than doubled, according to Chinese distributors, due to tightened U.S. enforcement and shipping delays in the Middle East.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 24, 2026
Two brand-new Boeing Air Force Ones are due to be delivered later this decade after a series of delays and cost overruns.
From Barron's ● Jul. 23, 2026
These coins were supposed to be ready for July 4, but production delays at the U.S.
From Salon ● Jul. 22, 2026
Some are questioning whether the company can remain competitive in the AI race following a Bloomberg report last week saying that its latest Gemini model is facing delays.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 21, 2026
Olmsted in particular felt the pressure but also felt hobbled by the persistent delays in installation of exhibits and the damage done by the repeated comings and goings of drays and freight cars.
From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson
Housing and healthcare costs and other basic living expenses, however, generally cannot be delayed.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 24, 2026
His arraignment has been delayed repeatedly and his next court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 6, records show.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 23, 2026
After initially ignoring the protesters, the government has made a delayed attempt to soften its stand.
From Barron's ● Jul. 22, 2026
Google’s stock fell 2% on Friday after Bloomberg reported that the company had delayed the release of its newest powerful flagship model, Gemini 3.5 Pro.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 22, 2026
When we were seated, we delayed our first bite until Char began to eat.
From "Ella Enchanted" by Gail Carson Levine
The fines against Google have been expected for months as part of a probe that began in 2024, but Brussels has faced claims of delaying the move over fears of hurting ties with Washington.
From Barron's ● Jul. 23, 2026
Whether delaying benefits until age 70 was a wise decision is not changed by the fact that he died shortly thereafter.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 15, 2026
Over the next few years, he completed medical school and a seven-year general surgery residency while delaying his enrollment in the Army.
From Slate ● Jul. 14, 2026
If the states succeed in at least delaying the deal, there could be significant financial implications for Paramount.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 13, 2026
The boy-Human’s inability to focus was needlessly delaying the work he and his thumbs needed to do.
From "Klawde: Evil Alien Warlord Cat" by Johnny Marciano and Emily Chenoweth
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
