delinquency
noun
de·lin·quen·cy
di-ˈliŋ-kwən-sē 
-ˈlin-
plural delinquencies
1
a
: a delinquent act
b
: conduct that is out of accord with accepted behavior or the law
especially
: juvenile delinquency
2
: a debt on which payment is overdue
Examples of delinquency in a Sentence
They tried to steer him away from delinquency by giving him a job in their store.
She's been charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
a series of minor delinquencies
a high rate of delinquency
Recent Examples on the Web
On a quarterly basis, the district would share the number of incidents resulting in arrest, searches and seizures, restraints, questioning, citations, tickets, summons, delinquency petitions and referrals to probationary officers.
—
Rory Linnane, jsonline.com, 18 Dec. 2025
An October 2025 poll specifically found delinquency to be the top issue, with immigration, unemployment and health care also marking high.
—Andra B. Chastain, The Conversation, 15 Dec. 2025
Rising delinquencies in this category often indicate mounting financial stress among lower income consumers.
—Drew O’Connor, Nashville Tennessean, 11 Dec. 2025
While mortgage delinquencies stayed flat at 3 percent in September, the latest data made available by Cotality, rising foreclosure rates suggest American borrowers are struggling to keep up with their mortgage payments.
—Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for delinquency
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Rory Linnane, jsonline.com, 18 Dec. 2025
An October 2025 poll specifically found delinquency to be the top issue, with immigration, unemployment and health care also marking high.
—Andra B. Chastain, The Conversation, 15 Dec. 2025
Rising delinquencies in this category often indicate mounting financial stress among lower income consumers.
—Drew O’Connor, Nashville Tennessean, 11 Dec. 2025
While mortgage delinquencies stayed flat at 3 percent in September, the latest data made available by Cotality, rising foreclosure rates suggest American borrowers are struggling to keep up with their mortgage payments.
—Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for delinquency
Cite this Entry
“Delinquency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/delinquency. Accessed 26 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
delinquency
noun
de·lin·quen·cy
di-ˈliŋ-kwən-sē, -ˈlin-
plural delinquencies
: conduct that is out of accord with accepted behavior or the law
especially
: juvenile delinquency
Legal Definition
delinquency
noun
de·lin·quen·cy
di-ˈliŋ-kwən-sē
plural delinquencies
1
a
: the quality or state of being delinquent
b
: juvenile delinquency
contributing to the delinquency of a minor
2
: a debt on which payment is overdue
consumer loan delinquencies
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