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
The Unified Government of Wyandotte County and KCK for years tried to rip the property from its longtime owner, Carl Lopp, due to surmounting tax delinquency and violation fees.
—
Kansas City Star, 16 July 2025
Roughly 6 million student loan borrowers entered delinquency between February and April, TransUnion said, estimating that about one-third of those borrowers could enter default in July.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 24 June 2025
According to a report by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, about 9.7 million student loan borrowers have seen their credit scores plummet since late last year, when delinquencies and defaults on those loans began to be listed on credit reports.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2025
Waves of slumping values, loan delinquencies and foreclosures have haunted hotels, office buildings, apartment complexes and even vacant land throughout the Bay Area, including Santa Clara County.
—George Avalos, Mercury News, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for delinquency
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Kansas City Star, 16 July 2025
Roughly 6 million student loan borrowers entered delinquency between February and April, TransUnion said, estimating that about one-third of those borrowers could enter default in July.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 24 June 2025
According to a report by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, about 9.7 million student loan borrowers have seen their credit scores plummet since late last year, when delinquencies and defaults on those loans began to be listed on credit reports.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2025
Waves of slumping values, loan delinquencies and foreclosures have haunted hotels, office buildings, apartment complexes and even vacant land throughout the Bay Area, including Santa Clara County.
—George Avalos, Mercury News, 3 July 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 25 Jul. 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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