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
Mortgage delinquencies, by contrast, are nowhere near the levels reported in the Great Recession, a crisis set off by a meltdown in the housing market.
—
Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 12 June 2026
In turn, payment delinquency rates are rising and collection activity is increasing as lenders work to recover unpaid debts.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 11 June 2026
The boy’s mother was arrested and charged with misdemeanor child abuse, exposing children to fire, and contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile, police said.
—Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 8 June 2026
Juvenile court is not ‘kiddy court’ Many young people who end up in court are accused of delinquency – actions that break the criminal law, such as stealing a car or breaking into someone’s house.
—Jay Blitzman, The Conversation, 8 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for delinquency
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Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 12 June 2026
In turn, payment delinquency rates are rising and collection activity is increasing as lenders work to recover unpaid debts.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 11 June 2026
The boy’s mother was arrested and charged with misdemeanor child abuse, exposing children to fire, and contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile, police said.
—Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 8 June 2026
Juvenile court is not ‘kiddy court’ Many young people who end up in court are accused of delinquency – actions that break the criminal law, such as stealing a car or breaking into someone’s house.
—Jay Blitzman, The Conversation, 8 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 17 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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