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 company’s net loss rate fell to 8.0% from 8.8% in May 2024, while its delinquency rates also improved, easing to 5.7% in May from 5.9% a year ago.
—
Fred Imbert, CNBC, 11 June 2025
The credit scores of millions of Americans have plummeted in the first quarter of the year as a result of rising student loan delinquency rates, following the end of a years-long pause on federal payments.
—Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 June 2025
Irving residents rank in the mid-range for credit card debt balances and debt delinquency, according to WalletHub.
—Paris Goodman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 June 2025
Foreclosures and mortgage delinquency rates right now are close to record lows, but
There is a bit of somewhat positive news: Any impending real estate bust likely won’t be as bad as the last one.
—Ingo Winzer, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for delinquency
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Fred Imbert, CNBC, 11 June 2025
The credit scores of millions of Americans have plummeted in the first quarter of the year as a result of rising student loan delinquency rates, following the end of a years-long pause on federal payments.
—Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 June 2025
Irving residents rank in the mid-range for credit card debt balances and debt delinquency, according to WalletHub.
—Paris Goodman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 June 2025
Foreclosures and mortgage delinquency rates right now are close to record lows, but
There is a bit of somewhat positive news: Any impending real estate bust likely won’t be as bad as the last one.
—Ingo Winzer, Forbes.com, 29 May 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 17 Jun. 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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