relay

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

/ noun ˈri leɪ; verb ˈri leɪ, rɪˈleɪ /

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.

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disgruntle

to deprive of ability, qualification, or strength

to put into a state of sulky dissatisfaction

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Origin of relay

1375–1425; (v.) late Middle English relaien to unleash fresh hounds in a hunt <Middle French relaier,Old French: to leave behind, release, equivalent to re-re- + laier to leave, dialectal variant of laissier<Latin laxāre (see relax); (noun) late Middle English relai set of fresh hounds <Middle French, derivative of relaier

Definition for relay (2 of 3)

relay²

[ ree-ley ]

/ riˈleɪ /

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

re-lay.

Definition for relay (3 of 3)

re-lay

or re·lay

[ ree-ley ]

/ riˈleɪ /

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. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for relay

This information is relayed to all the agents via the security room.
Behind the Scenes With a ‘Site Agent’: The Secret Service’s Hardest Job|Marc Ambinder|October 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The sniper barely missed, and Steven relayed the story as equal parts humorous and traumatic.
Was U.S. Journalist Steven Sotloff a Marked Man?|Ben Taub|September 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Later that night, I relayed that story to my father and asked him: “Where is Palestine?”
Do Palestinians Really Exist?|Dean Obeidallah|July 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They are also relayed to Boeing and the manufacturers of the engines, in this case Rolls Royce.
Malaysia’s Sinister Timeline for Flight 370 Unravels|Clive Irving|March 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST

He relayed the answer, then a correction that must have come from the wife.
The Movie Murder 911 Tape: Victim’s Last Breaths, With Shooter Nearby|Michael Daly|January 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
By the time this message is relayed to Helma Garcia one solid half-hour has been dissipated from the cream of the morning.
Of All Things|Robert C. Benchley
An alarm was sent to police headquarters, and relayed to the chief at the museum.
Black Star's Campaign|Johnston McCulley
The squadron commander was smiling joyously as he relayed the advice as a command.
Invaders from the Infinite|John Wood Campbell
Var stared at the screen as the flight was relayed to him, snarling.
Victory|Lester del Rey
I'll have microphones all about so that every word that's said will be relayed to your recorders?
The Invaders|William Fitzgerald Jenkins

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 stationthis concert is being relayed from the Albert Hall

Word Origin for 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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relay

noun

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

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

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Origin of relay

Definition for relay (2 of 3)

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