relay

¹

[ree-ley, ree-ley, ri-ley]

noun

1. a series of persons relieving one another or taking turns; shift.

2. a fresh set of dogs or horses posted in readiness for use in a hunt, on a journey, etc.

3. Sports.

   1. relay race.

   2. a length or leg in a relay race.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. (initial capital letter),  one of an early series of experimental low-altitude, active communications satellites.

verb (used with object)

relayed, relaying 

1. to carry forward by or as if by relays.

   to relay a message.

2. to provide with or replace by fresh relays.

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

verb (used without object)

relayed, relaying 

1. Electricity.,  to retransmit a signal or message electronically.

relay

²

[ree-ley]

verb (used with object)

relaid, relaying 

1. re-lay.

relay

noun

1. a person or team of people relieving others, as on a shift

2. a fresh team of horses, dogs, etc, posted at intervals along a route to relieve others

3. the act of relaying or process of being relayed

4. 1. short for relay race

   2. one of the sections of a relay race

5. an automatic device that controls the setting of a valve, switch, etc, by means of an electric motor, solenoid, or pneumatic mechanism

6. electronics an electrical device in which a small change in current or voltage controls the switching on or off of circuits or other devices

7. radio

   1. a combination of a receiver and transmitter designed to receive radio signals and retransmit them, in order to extend their range

   2. ( as modifier )

      a relay station

verb

1. to carry or spread (something, such as news or information) by relays

2. to supply or replace with relays

3. to retransmit (a signal) by means of a relay

4. to broadcast (a performance) by sending out signals through a transmitting station

   this concert is being relayed from the Albert Hall

relay

1. 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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of relay¹

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; relax ); (for the noun) late Middle English relai “set of fresh hounds,” from Middle French, derivative of relaier

Word History and Origins

Origin of relay¹

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

Example Sentences

The couple’s two children are usually game for leftovers, too, and Schlesinger isn’t shy about relaying how much effort goes into making them appetizing.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The pair pick out four key elements of Cayer's philosophy: instilling discipline, "black and white" communication, settling them mentally in new situations and providing astute video analysis to be relayed through their coaches.

Read more on BBC

New International Olympic Committee chief Kirsty Coventry fought back tears on Wednesday as she urged nations to come together in the 2026 Winter Games, as the torch relay set off from ancient Olympia in Greece.

Read more on Barron's

The 999 BSL app, which connects users with an interpreter to relay emergency calls, repeatedly cut out when she tried to use it, she said.

Read more on BBC

“Out of Plain Sight” doesn’t need to be earthshaking filmmaking to relay a valuable ongoing story about a hidden nightmare for all of us.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• broadcast 
• carry 
• communicate 
• deliver 
• hand over 
• send 
• turn over