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
Richard John Eyssallenne, 39, pleaded not guilty to one felony count of child endangerment and abuse and one misdemeanor count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
—
Cierra Morgan
march 4, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2026
The 39-year-old father pleaded not guilty to charges of felony child endangerment and abuse and a misdemeanor count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
—Sierra Van Der Brug, Oc Register, 4 Mar. 2026
Richard John Eyssallenne, 39, pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to one felony count of child endangerment and abuse and one misdemeanor count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, according to a news release from the DA's Office.
—Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2026
The reports must outline details like the number of customers, levelized billing plans, account delinquencies and disconnections.
—Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for delinquency
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Cierra Morgan
march 4, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2026
The 39-year-old father pleaded not guilty to charges of felony child endangerment and abuse and a misdemeanor count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
—Sierra Van Der Brug, Oc Register, 4 Mar. 2026
Richard John Eyssallenne, 39, pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to one felony count of child endangerment and abuse and one misdemeanor count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, according to a news release from the DA's Office.
—Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2026
The reports must outline details like the number of customers, levelized billing plans, account delinquencies and disconnections.
—Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 27 Feb. 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 9 Mar. 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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