delinquency

noun de·lin·quen·cy \ di-ˈliŋ-kwən-sē , -ˈlin- \

|Updated on: 6 Jul 2018

Examples: delinquency in a Sentence

Definition of delinquency

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

See delinquency defined for English-language learners

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 of delinquency from the Web

Garcia was booked at the Fourth Avenue jail on one count of physical abuse of a minor, one count of endangering the life or health of a minor and one count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, court records said.

— nathan j. fish, azcentral, "Records: Phoenix man left toddler alone in hot apartment, squalor," 28 June 2018
The delinquency rate for subprime auto loans more than 60 days past due reached the highest since 1996 at 5.8 percent, according to March data, the most recent available from Fitch.

— adam tempkin, BostonGlobe.com, "Consumers skip more high-rate auto payments than during crisis," 14 May 2018
Health care is a prime target for hacks, ransomware, and other assorted digital delinquency.

— sy mukherjee, Fortune, "Brainstorm Health: Glaxo Spurns Pfizer, Drugs on Your Fingertips," 23 Mar. 2018
While serious delinquencies are going down, average debt for car and personal loans, mortgages, and credit cards all rose between 2016 and 2017.

— samantha bomkamp, chicagotribune.com, "As Fed raises rates, look for higher costs on credit cards, car loans and home mortgages," 21 Mar. 2018
Studies have shown that a father’s involvement increases a child’s chances for academic success and reduces the chances of delinquency and substance abuse.

— dahleen glanton, chicagotribune.com, "In praise of African-American men," 17 June 2018
In the fall of 2007, all stages of delinquency and foreclosure rates started to rise.

— jeff andrews, Curbed, "Foreclosure rates remain at lowest levels in 11 years," 13 June 2018
In addition to impersonating an officer, Ray faces charges of kidnapping, misconduct involving weapons, endangerment, reckless driving and contributing to the delinquency of a minor, Forghani said.

— nathan j. fish, azcentral, "Ex-Pinal County Sheriff's Explorer accused of impersonating police officer," 5 June 2018
That buoy could partially counterbalance the effect of delinquencies, especially for someone starting with very low credit.

— michael taylor, San Antonio Express-News, "What to do with too much credit card debt?," 3 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'delinquency.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of delinquency

1625

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

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delinquency Synonyms

Other Legal Terms

actionable, alienable, carceral, chattel, complicity, decedent, larceny, malfeasance, modus operandi

DELINQUENCY Defined for English Language Learners

delinquency

noun

Definition of delinquency for English Language Learners

: crimes or other morally wrong acts : illegal or immoral behavior especially by young people
: the condition of someone who owes money and is not making payments at the required or expected time