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
Credit card debt is sitting at a record high, delinquency rates have been climbing steadily and a growing share of borrowers who fell behind during recent periods of high inflation and elevated interest rates are now moving through the later stages of collections.
—
Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 17 Mar. 2026
The study also found an 8% jump in average debt collection, a 2% decline in credit scores and an 8% increase in credit card and car loan delinquencies.
—Suzanne King, Kansas City Star, 12 Mar. 2026
Jalloh’s lengthy criminal history includes more than 30 arrests for charges of rape, assault, drug possession, property destruction, identity theft, trespassing, firing a weapon, grand larceny, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and pickpocketing.
—Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 9 Mar. 2026
Richard John Eyssallenne, 39, pleaded not guilty to one felony count of child endangerment and abuse and one misdemeanor count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
—Cierra Morgan
march 4, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for delinquency
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Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 17 Mar. 2026
The study also found an 8% jump in average debt collection, a 2% decline in credit scores and an 8% increase in credit card and car loan delinquencies.
—Suzanne King, Kansas City Star, 12 Mar. 2026
Jalloh’s lengthy criminal history includes more than 30 arrests for charges of rape, assault, drug possession, property destruction, identity theft, trespassing, firing a weapon, grand larceny, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and pickpocketing.
—Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 9 Mar. 2026
Richard John Eyssallenne, 39, pleaded not guilty to one felony count of child endangerment and abuse and one misdemeanor count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
—Cierra Morgan
march 4, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for delinquency
Cite this Entry
“Delinquency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/delinquency. Accessed 25 Mar. 2026.
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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