relay
1a 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.
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.
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.
Electricity. to retransmit a signal or message electronically.
Origin of relay
1Other definitions for relay (2 of 3)
Other definitions for re-lay (3 of 3)
or re·lay
Origin of re-lay
3Words 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
The journey is relayed through 78 images clustered in white frames for an intimate feel.
Annie Leibovitz Talks About ‘Pilgrimage,’ Susan Sontag, Vogue & More | Justin Jones | November 20, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTWe asked one of the authors, Lisa Brosseau, if Will had correctly relayed her work.
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 | THE DAILY BEASTThe sniper barely missed, and Steven relayed the story as equal parts humorous and traumatic.
Later that night, I relayed that story to my father and asked him: “Where is Palestine?”
A start was made next day against an opposing wind, the sledges being relayed up a steep hillside.
The Home of the Blizzard | Douglas MawsonBut the sensitive microphone in his collar picked up the voice and relayed it to the man behind the teller's wicket.
The Penal Cluster | Ivar Jorgensen (AKA Randall Garrett)It arrived at the lake and its camera relayed back exactly nothing that had not been photographed and recorded before.
Operation Terror | William Fitzgerald JenkinsI relayed Vale's message describing the landing and the creatures that came out of the—object.
Operation Terror | William Fitzgerald JenkinsA flurry of orders relayed to the control ship sent it soaring back into the distance, a mile or so high.
Cue for Quiet | Thomas L. Sherred
British Dictionary definitions for relay
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
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
1Collins 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
[ 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.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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