lag

noun (1)

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\ ˈlag

Definition of lag

(Entry 1 of 7)

1 : one that lags or is last

2a : the act or the condition of lagging

b : comparative slowness or retardation

c(1) : an amount of lagging or the time during which lagging continues

(2) : a space of time especially between related events or phenomena : interval

3 : the action of lagging for opening shot (as in marbles or billiards)

4 golf : a usually long putt struck with the aim of having the ball stop near the hole

lag

verb (1)

lagged; lagging

Definition of lag (Entry 2 of 7)

intransitive verb

1a : to stay or fall behind : linger, loiter

b : to move, function, or develop with comparative slowness

c : to become retarded in attaining maximum value

2 : to slacken or weaken gradually : flag

3 : to toss or roll a marble toward a line or a cue ball toward the head cushion to determine order of play

4 golf : to hit a lag putt (see lag entry 1 sense 4)

transitive verb

1 : to lag behind current that lags the voltage

2 : to pitch or shoot (a coin, a marble, etc.) at a mark

3 golf : to hit (a golf ball or putt) with the aim of having the ball stop near the hole Woods lagged his first putt to within four feet and then sank his second one to win.— Tim Crothers

lag

adjective

Definition of lag (Entry 3 of 7)

: last, hindmost

lag

noun (2)

Definition of lag (Entry 4 of 7)

1 : a barrel stave

2 : a stave, slat, or strip (as of wood or asbestos) forming part of a covering for a cylindrical object

lag

verb (2)

lagged; lagging

Definition of lag (Entry 5 of 7)

transitive verb

: to cover or provide with lags

lag

verb (3)

lagged; lagging

Definition of lag (Entry 6 of 7)

transitive verb

1 chiefly British slang : to transport or jail for crime

2 chiefly British slang : arrest

lag

noun (3)

Definition of lag (Entry 7 of 7)

1 chiefly British slang

a : a person transported for crime

b : convict

c : an ex-convict

2 chiefly British slang : a jail sentence : stretch

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Verb (1)

delay, procrastinate, lag, loiter, dawdle, dally mean to move or act slowly so as to fall behind. delay usually implies a putting off of something (such as a beginning or departure). we cannot delay any longer procrastinate implies blameworthy delay especially through laziness or apathy. procrastinates about making decisions lag implies failure to maintain a speed set by others. lagging behind in technology loiter and dawdle imply delay while in progress, especially in walking, but dawdle more clearly suggests an aimless wasting of time. loitered at several store windows children dawdling on their way home from school dally suggests delay through trifling or vacillation when promptness is necessary. stop dallying and get to work

Examples of lag in a Sentence

Adjective we're now in the lag end of the project

First Known Use of lag

Noun (1)

1514, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (1)

1530, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Adjective

1552, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1672, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

1870, in the meaning defined above

Verb (3)

circa 1812, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (3)

circa 1812, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology for lag

Noun (1)

probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Norwegian dialect lagga to go slowly

Noun (2)

probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse lǫgg rim of a barrel

Verb (3)

origin unknown

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Cite this Entry

“Lag.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lag. Accessed 12 May. 2021.

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More Definitions for lag

lag

noun

\ ˈlag

Kids Definition of lag

(Entry 1 of 2)

: a space of time between two events We resumed work after a short lag.

lag

verb

lagged; lagging

Kids Definition of lag (Entry 2 of 2)

: to move or advance slowly or more slowly than others Work lagged behind schedule. One hiker lagged behind the group.

lag

verb

\ ˈlag

lagged; lagging

Medical Definition of lag

(Entry 1 of 2)

intransitive verb

: to move, function, or develop with comparative slowness the child lagged in perceptual development symptoms may lag behind the radiographic changes— Carol J. Johns & Theresa M. Michele

transitive verb

: to lag behind current that lags the voltage

lag

noun

Medical Definition of lag (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : the act or the condition of lagging

2 : comparative slowness or retardation (as in growth or development)

3a : a space of time especially between related events or phenomena — see lag phase

b : the time between the application of a stimulus and the occurrence of the response it causes