relay

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

/ noun ˈri leɪ; verb ˈri leɪ, rɪˈleɪ /

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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.

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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

Other definitions for relay (2 of 3)

relay²

[ ree-ley ]

/ riˈleɪ /

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

re-lay.

Other definitions 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. 2023

How to use relay in a sentence

When dopamine docks, those receptors relay the “feel good” signal from the last cell to this new one.
Warning! Junk foods can harm a teen’s brain|Sharon Oosthoek|November 19, 2020|Science News For Students
The Floatride Energy Foam also gives the shoes a soft step-in feel for a smoother ride, whether it be for a relay, a 5K, or a special race day.
Gift Guide: What you need to work(out) from home|Rachel King|November 2, 2020|Fortune
Protheroe relayed her concerns to the IRS, which fixed many glitches and started sending out debit cards that can be used without a bank account.
Millions Still Haven’t Gotten Stimulus Checks, Including Many Who Need Them Most|by Lydia DePillis|October 30, 2020|ProPublica
In this way, electrical chatter between neurons is relayed to the nucleus, suggesting that neural activity — driven by a behavior — could attach the dopamine epigenetic marker to genes responsible for drug-seeking behavior.
The Epigenetic Secrets Behind Dopamine, Drug Addiction and Depression|R. Douglas Fields|October 27, 2020|Quanta Magazine

It was the first time Thor had opened up about his accident to someone outside of his own family, who only found out about it when they saw it relayed on the local news.
This Film Will Make You Rethink Every Parental Decision|Ryan Van Bibber|October 26, 2020|Outside Online
“Mahfouz was relaying the oppression of Amina and her daughters as it existed,” she has said.
Cairo, Revisited: How Naguib Mahfouz Predicted the Future of Egypt|Joel Whitney|July 22, 2012|DAILY BEAST
When Dmitri visited, he would act as a megaphone, relaying to his mother what her ears could not catch of my Kiwi accent.
Remembering Dmitri Nabokov, the Novelist’s Son and Literary Executor|Brian Boyd|May 10, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Perhaps that was the inspiration for the plan Justice was now relaying to UCE 48.
The Vegas Suicide Mystery|Winston Ross|February 24, 2011|DAILY BEAST
I went back to the house and found the servant clearing away a meal and relaying the table for me.
The Romance of His Life|Mary Cholmondeley
The captain waved acknowledgment from behind the glass, and Raoul heard him ring a bell relaying his orders belowdecks.
Shaman|Robert Shea
Relaying regularly, we gradually mounted six hundred feet over neve and massive sastrugi.
The Home of the Blizzard|Douglas Mawson
The sledge-meter showed only two miles one thousand one hundred yards for the afternoon, relaying having been necessary.
The Home of the Blizzard|Douglas Mawson
He succeeded at last in getting a message through to the national capital, relaying to the immense radio station at Arlington.
The Ocean Wireless Boys and the Lost Liner|Wilbur Lawton

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.

relay

Origin of relay

Other definitions for relay (2 of 3)

Other definitions for relay (3 of 3)

or re·lay

Origin of re-lay

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH re-lay

Words related to relay

How to use relay in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for relay

Word Origin for relay

Scientific definitions for relay