relay

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

See synonyms for: relay re-laid re-laying re-lays 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

Words Nearby relay

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

Digging into the neural pathways behind these differences, the team found that the electro-needle jab on the belly was able to fine-tune the activity of neurons in pain and inflammation-relays between the spleen and the spine.
We Need New, Safer Ways to Treat Pain. Could Electroacupuncture Be One? | Shelly Fan | August 18, 2020 | Singularity Hub
Every week, Thompson drives to Monte Vista Village, relaying cherry-filled packages to a caregiver, while her mom stands outside her door and waves.
No Visitors Leading to Despair and Isolation in Senior Care Homes | Jared Whitlock | July 28, 2020 | Voice of San Diego
The signal gets relayed across multiple nearby balloons that transmit it back down to peoples’ phones and other devices.
Google Loon Is Now Beaming WiFi Down to Earth From Giant Balloons | Vanessa Bates Ramirez | July 12, 2020 | Singularity Hub
All I can relay is that we will be listening in and reviewing what is said today.
Morning Report: Inside Westview High’s Many Harassment, Abuse Complaints | Voice of San Diego | July 2, 2020 | Voice of San Diego
The system will relay a much wider range of data than previous tracking technologies, logging not just an animal’s location but also its physiology and environment.
This Week’s Awesome Tech Stories From Around the Web (Through June 13) | Singularity Hub Staff | June 13, 2020 | Singularity Hub

When asked how she feels about paving the way for abortion education on the Internet, Steinauer was quick to relay her enthusiasm.
The Internet’s First Abortion Class | Samantha Allen | October 6, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Pippa and and her brother are part of a team of eight cyclists, and will be riding three hours a day each in relay.
Pippa's Cross America Cycle Race | Tom Sykes | June 16, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Defendants instead had an assistant relay to Raimondi that Olenicoff had a change of heart about the sculptures.
Real Estate Mogul Igor Olenicoff Busted for Art Forgery | Justin Jones | June 13, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Teams generally race in a relay format with one racer always on the road.
Pippa Middleton To Cycle Across America ... Starting Tomorrow | Tom Sykes | June 13, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
He asserts that the CEO admitted to flaws in the system on an Internet relay Chat (IRC) in October 2013.
Inside Japan’s Bitcoin Heist | Jake Adelstein | February 28, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
So he kept on, posting the last of the mermen in his mental relay well away from the city, but swimming upstream himself.
Star Born | Andre Norton
At each relay the reporters descended from their carriage and found themselves with Michael.
Michael Strogoff | Jules Verne
The drop or relay controls a local circuit composed of an open-circuit battery and an ordinary vibrating bell.
The Boy Mechanic, Book 2 | Various
An ordinary telegraph relay may be used in connection with the closed-circuit alarm.
The Boy Mechanic, Book 2 | Various
The alarm switches are all connected in series in this case and in circuit with a closed-circuit battery and relay or drop.
The Boy Mechanic, Book 2 | Various

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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