Definition of delay
(Entry 1 of 2)
1a
: the act of postponing, hindering, or causing something to occur more slowly than normal : the state of being delayed
get started without delay
b
: an instance of being delayed
apologized for the delay a rain delay
2
: the time during which something is delayed
waited out a delay of 30 minutes
delay
verb
delayed; delaying; delays
Definition of delay (Entry 2 of 2)
2
: to stop, detain, or hinder for a time
the mails were delayed by heavy snows … issued executive orders delaying the release of records from Ronald Reagan's administration … — Editor & Publisher
3
: to cause to be slower or to occur more slowly than normal
delay a child's development … a drug that not only can extend life by delaying the onset of aging-related diseases …— Bill Gifford
: to move or act slowly
This offer ends soon, so don't delay. delayed in responding to my message
also
: to cause delay
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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Time Traveler for delay
The first known use of delay was in the 14th century
See more words from the same century