delay

[ dih-ley ]
/ dɪˈleɪ /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR delay ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object)

to put off to a later time; defer; postpone: The pilot delayed the flight until the weather cleared.
to impede the process or progress of; retard; hinder: The dense fog delayed the plane's landing.

verb (used without object)

to put off action; linger; loiter: He delayed until it was too late.

noun

the act of delaying; procrastination; loitering.
an instance of being delayed: There were many delays during the train trip.
the period or amount of time during which something is delayed: The ballet performance began after a half-hour delay.

Origin of delay

1225–75; Middle English delaien (v.), delai(e) (noun) < Old French delaier (v.), delai (noun)

synonym study for delay

1. See defer1.

OTHER WORDS FROM delay

Words nearby delay

delaware, delaware bay, delaware jargon, delaware water gap, delawarean, delay, delay line, delay screen, delayed, delayed action, delayed allergy

Words related to delaying

procrastinating, dilatory

Example sentences from the Web for delaying

British Dictionary definitions for delaying

delay
/ (dɪˈleɪ) /

verb

(tr) to put off to a later time; defer
(tr) to slow up, hinder, or cause to be late; detain
(intr) to be irresolute or put off doing something; procrastinate
(intr) to linger; dawdle

noun

the act or an instance of delaying or being delayed
the interval between one event and another; lull; interlude

Derived forms of delay

delayer, noun

Word Origin for delay

C13: from Old French delaier, from des- off + laier, variant of laissier to leave, from Latin laxāre to loosen, from laxus slack, lax