relay

[ noun ree-ley; verb ree-ley, ri-ley ]

See synonyms for relay on Thesaurus.com

noun

a series of persons relieving one another or taking turns; shift.
a fresh set of dogs or horses posted in readiness for use in a hunt, on a journey, etc.

Sports.
- relay race.
- a length or leg in a relay race.
Machinery. an automatic control device in which the settings of valves, switches, etc., are regulated by a powered element, as a motor, solenoid, or pneumatic mechanism actuated by a smaller, sensitive element.
Electricity. a device, usually consisting of an electromagnet and an armature, by which a change of current or voltage in one circuit is used to make or break a connection in another circuit or to affect the operation of other devices in the same or another circuit.
(initial capital letter)U.S. Aerospace. one of an early series of experimental low-altitude, active communications satellites.

verb (used with object),re·layed, re·lay·ing.

to carry forward by or as if by relays: to relay a message.
to provide with or replace by fresh relays.

Electricity. to retransmit (a signal, message, etc.) by or as if by means of a telegraphic relay.

verb (used without object),re·layed, re·lay·ing.

Electricity. to retransmit a signal or message electronically.

Origin of relay

First recorded in 1375–1425; (for the verb) late Middle English relaien “to unleash fresh hounds in a hunt,” from Middle French relaier, Old French: “to leave behind, release,” from re- re- + laier “to leave” (dialectal variant of laissier, from Latin laxāre; see relax); (for the noun) late Middle English relai “set of fresh hounds,” from Middle French, derivative of relaier

Other definitions for relay (2 of 3)

relay²

[ ree-ley ]

verb (used with object),re·laid, re·lay·ing.

re-lay.

Other definitions for re-lay (3 of 3)

re-lay

or re·lay

[ ree-ley ]

verb (used with object),re-laid, re-lay·ing.

to lay again.

Origin of re-lay

First recorded in 1580–90; re- + lay¹

Words that may be confused with re-lay

re-lay , relay

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use relay in a sentence

As the roots cannot be forced or wired out, the sewer must be relaid.
Elements of Plumbing | Samuel Dibble
They also asserted that the line was already being relaid to Maribogo, and that the railway servants had returned to that station.
South African Memories | Lady Sarah Wilson
Guns were relaid on the trench, and before long the entanglements were destroyed.
The Childrens' Story of the War, Volume 4 (of 10) | James Edward Parrott
The cross-overs, E and F, are taken up occasionally and relaid near the advancing ends of the cut and dump.
Steam Shovels and Steam Shovel Work | E. A. Hermann
You have relaid the foundation and reset the pillars of a party that may enjoy a long supremacy for domestic reasons.
The Life and Letters of Walter H. Page, Volume II | Burton J. Hendrick

British Dictionary definitions for relay

relay

noun(ˈriːleɪ)

a person or team of people relieving others, as on a shift
a fresh team of horses, dogs, etc, posted at intervals along a route to relieve others

the act of relaying or process of being relayed
- short for relay race
- one of the sections of a relay race
an automatic device that controls the setting of a valve, switch, etc, by means of an electric motor, solenoid, or pneumatic mechanism
electronics an electrical device in which a small change in current or voltage controls the switching on or off of circuits or other devices
radio
- a combination of a receiver and transmitter designed to receive radio signals and retransmit them, in order to extend their range
- (as modifier): a relay station

verb(rɪˈleɪ) (tr)

to carry or spread (something, such as news or information) by relays
to supply or replace with relays

to retransmit (a signal) by means of a relay
British to broadcast (a performance) by sending out signals through a transmitting station: this concert is being relayed from the Albert Hall

Origin of relay

C15 relaien, from Old French relaier to leave behind, from re- + laier to leave, ultimately from Latin laxāre to loosen; see relax

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for relay

relay

[ rē′lā ]

An electrical switch that is operated by an electromagnet, such as a solenoid. When a small current passes through the electromagnet's coiled wire, it produces a magnetic field that attracts a movable iron bar, causing it to pivot and open or close the switch.

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