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
Emerson Depaz-Pangan, 26, is charged with facilitation of criminal homicide and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
—
Craig Shoup, Nashville Tennessean, 19 Sep. 2025
However, for lower- and middle-income households, that credit picture is looking less stable, according to a Moody’s Analytics analysis of delinquencies by credit score (which is the closest proxy for income).
—Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2025
The lodging market’s foreclosure and loan delinquency woes have engulfed hotels in Oakland, San Francisco and downtown San Jose, although problems have also surfaced for hotels in Berkeley, Newark, Pleasanton and Pleasant Hill.
—George Avalos, Mercury News, 16 Sep. 2025
The student loan delinquency rate is now at a record high, according to the report.
—Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for delinquency
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Craig Shoup, Nashville Tennessean, 19 Sep. 2025
However, for lower- and middle-income households, that credit picture is looking less stable, according to a Moody’s Analytics analysis of delinquencies by credit score (which is the closest proxy for income).
—Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2025
The lodging market’s foreclosure and loan delinquency woes have engulfed hotels in Oakland, San Francisco and downtown San Jose, although problems have also surfaced for hotels in Berkeley, Newark, Pleasanton and Pleasant Hill.
—George Avalos, Mercury News, 16 Sep. 2025
The student loan delinquency rate is now at a record high, according to the report.
—Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 16 Sep. 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 29 Sep. 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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