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
As for auto loan delinquencies, the percentage of loans that have payments more 30 days late has edged up to 2% of all new vehicle loans, with the 60-day delinquency rate also increasing.
—
Phil Lebeau,meghan Reeder, CNBC, 28 May 2026
In Chicago, the City Council this week began drafting an ordinance that would allow police to charge the parents of teenagers who are arrested with contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
—Corky Siemaszko, NBC news, 28 May 2026
Consumer delinquency rates on credit cards and auto loans remain above pre-pandemic averages.
—Mayra Rodriguez Valladares, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
At the same time, bankruptcy filings have increased for the past three years; debt levels have grown; delinquency rates have moved higher; and the personal savings rate is at its lowest in more than three years.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for delinquency
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Phil Lebeau,meghan Reeder, CNBC, 28 May 2026
In Chicago, the City Council this week began drafting an ordinance that would allow police to charge the parents of teenagers who are arrested with contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
—Corky Siemaszko, NBC news, 28 May 2026
Consumer delinquency rates on credit cards and auto loans remain above pre-pandemic averages.
—Mayra Rodriguez Valladares, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
At the same time, bankruptcy filings have increased for the past three years; debt levels have grown; delinquency rates have moved higher; and the personal savings rate is at its lowest in more than three years.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 27 May 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 31 May. 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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