delay

American  

[dih-ley] / dɪˈleɪ /

verb (used with object)

1. to put off to a later time; defer; postpone.

   The pilot delayed the flight until the weather cleared.

2. to impede the process or progress of; retard; hinder.

   The dense fog delayed the plane's landing.

   Synonyms:

   detain, slow

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verb (used without object)

1. to put off action; linger; dally.

   He delayed until it was too late.

   Synonyms:

   tarry, procrastinate

noun

1. the act of delaying; procrastination.

   Synonyms:

   loitering

2. an instance of being delayed.

   There were many delays during the train trip.

   Synonyms:

   respite, deferment

3. the period or amount of time during which something is delayed.

   The ballet performance began after a half-hour delay.

delay British  

/ dɪˈleɪ /

verb

1. (tr) to put off to a later time; defer

2. (tr) to slow up, hinder, or cause to be late; detain

3. (intr) to be irresolute or put off doing something; procrastinate

4. (intr) to linger; dawdle

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noun

1. the act or an instance of delaying or being delayed

2. the interval between one event and another; lull; interlude

Usage

What does delay mean? As a verb, delay means to put something off or postpone it until later, or to cause something to take longer or to be late. As a noun, delay means an instance of something being postponed till later, or the amount of time between when something was supposed to happen and when it does happen (the lull or interlude). Example: The convention has not been canceled—it has been delayed until we can find a proper venue.

Related Words

See defer ¹.

Other Word Forms

• delayable adjective
• delayer noun
• delayingly adverb
• predelay noun
• undelayable adjective
• undelaying adjective
• undelayingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of delay

First recorded in 1225–75; Middle English delaien (verb), delai(e) (noun), from Old French delaier (verb), delai (noun)

Explanation

A delay is a wait or a postponement. An unexpected delay before the start of a play might make the audience restless and noisy. During a delay, you have to wait around for things to begin. Delay is also a verb: "That burnt pizza is going to delay dinner for at least another hour." You can also delay by loitering or hanging around: "The performer always delays when he's nervous about singing in front of a crowd." Delay comes from the Old French delaiier, from the roots de-, "not," and laier, "leave."

Example Sentences

IRS computers could delay processing the return if the agency has received tax-reporting forms that aren’t reported on the taxpayer’s return.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 14, 2026

“My delay in taking action against Eric was driven by fear, not doubt,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 14, 2026

Memory was measured by testing how well participants could recall information both immediately and after a delay.

From Science Daily • Apr. 14, 2026

With the deal as yet unratified, no payments have been made or will be made during the period of delay, the minister confirmed to Conservative former minister Dame Harriett Baldwin.

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026

“What is the employment you had in view, Mr. Rivers? I hope this delay will not have increased the difficulty of securing it.”

From "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë

Related Words

• adjourn
• bar
• block
• defer
• detain
• hamper
• hold
• impede
• keep
• obstruct
• postpone
• prevent
• prolong
• put off
• restrict
• shelve
• stall
• stay
• suspend
• withhold