lagging

¹

[ lag-ing ]

noun

1. the act of falling or staying behind.

adjective

1. lingering; loitering; slow and dragging:

   lagging steps.

lagging

²

[ lag-ing ]

noun

1. the act of covering a boiler, oil tank, etc., with heat-insulating material.
2. the covering formed.
3. the material used.
4. a number of boards or the like joined together side by side to line an excavation.
5. Masonry. a number of lags, taken as a whole.

lagging

/ ˈlæɡɪŋ /

noun

1. insulating material wrapped around pipes, boilers, etc, or laid in a roof loft, to prevent loss of heat
2. the act or process of applying lagging
3. a wooden frame used to support an arch during construction

Other Words From

• lagging·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of lagging¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; lag ¹ + -ing ¹, -ing ²( def )

Origin of lagging²

First recorded in 1850–55; lag ³ + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

The UK prison population has roughly doubled in the last 30 years, with capacity lagging behind, and in September the system came within 100 places of running out of space altogether.

From BBC

But in a country where conversation on menstruation still comes with stigma and taboo, menopause awareness is lagging.

From BBC

Homeowners in the most flood-prone areas are required to buy this policy, but uptake has been lagging in some particularly vulnerable inland communities — including those that were recently devastated by Hurricane Helene.

From Salon

There is no doubt that Harris enjoyed a surge of momentum, and an instant and significant boost in the polls compared to President Joe Biden, who was lagging far behind Trump.

From BBC

But after lagging behind Albon all year, a poor weekend in Zandvoort proved the final straw.

From BBC

Related Words

• underdeveloped