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
Automatic debit programs can help ensure that student loan payments are made in full and on time, reducing the risk of delinquency and default.
—
Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026
As a result, Mencia is on the California Franchise Tax Board’s list of top 500 tax delinquencies in both the personal and corporate income categories.
—Liza Esquibias, USA Today, 18 June 2026
This financial setback and numerous other loan delinquencies and foreclosure proceedings have erupted with increasing frequency as the Bay Area hotel market is locked in a downturn.
—George Avalos, Mercury News, 18 June 2026
What changes the math is delinquency — the point at which past-due debt stops being a line item and starts triggering levies, forced withdrawals and credit damage at a time when there's little slack to absorb it.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 17 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for delinquency
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Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026
As a result, Mencia is on the California Franchise Tax Board’s list of top 500 tax delinquencies in both the personal and corporate income categories.
—Liza Esquibias, USA Today, 18 June 2026
This financial setback and numerous other loan delinquencies and foreclosure proceedings have erupted with increasing frequency as the Bay Area hotel market is locked in a downturn.
—George Avalos, Mercury News, 18 June 2026
What changes the math is delinquency — the point at which past-due debt stops being a line item and starts triggering levies, forced withdrawals and credit damage at a time when there's little slack to absorb it.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 17 June 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 20 Jun. 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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