lagging

¹ American  

[lag-ing] / ˈlæg ɪŋ /

noun

1. the act of falling or staying behind.

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adjective

1. lingering; loitering; slow and dragging.

   lagging steps.

lagging ² American  

[lag-ing] / ˈlæg ɪŋ /

noun

1. the act of covering a boiler, oil tank, etc., with heat-insulating material.

2. the covering formed.

3. the material used.

4. a number of boards or the like joined together side by side to line an excavation.

5. Masonry. a number of lags, taken as a whole.

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lagging British  

/ ˈlæɡɪŋ /

noun

1. insulating material wrapped around pipes, boilers, etc, or laid in a roof loft, to prevent loss of heat

2. the act or process of applying lagging

3. a wooden frame used to support an arch during construction

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Other Word Forms

• laggingly
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of lagging¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; lag ¹ + -ing ¹, -ing ² ( def. )

Origin of lagging²

First recorded in 1850–55; lag ³ + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

Axon’s share price fell 6% last year, severely lagging behind the S&P 500, which analysts attributed in part to wider concerns about AI disrupting the software industry.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 28, 2026

The Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit predicts that, based on current planning rates, Wales will only meet 10% of its target by 2030, "lagging behind" other devolved nations.

From BBC • Jun. 26, 2026

Dividend Equity ETF is up 18% after lagging behind the market with a 4% return in 2025.

From Barron's • Jun. 26, 2026

Core and headline PCE inflation are still flashing red in the lagging indicators, but commodity signals are moving in the other direction.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 18, 2026

“My father thinks the Congo is just lagging behind and he can help bring it up to snuff. Which is crazy. It’s like he’s trying to put rubber tires on a horse.”

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver

Related Words

• underdeveloped