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

Synonyms of delinquency

• negligence
• neglect
• default
• failure
• oversight

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

Researchers at the New York Fed said measuring student loan delinquencies is still complicated by the fact that payments were on pause for four years during the pandemic. —Elizabeth Schulze, ABC News, 5 Nov. 2025

Court records show Connelly had prior run-ins with the law in 2017 on charges including contributing to the delinquency of a minor and violating probation. —Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 5 Nov. 2025

Non-residency, delinquency, or even unresolved governing document violations are not reasons to deny any owner a ballot. —Kelly G. Richardson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Nov. 2025

Loan defaults and delinquencies are on the rise again among some of America’s most vulnerable. —David Goldman, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

delinqu(ent) entry 2 + -ency

First Known Use

1625, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing delinquency

• juvenile delinquency

Medical 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