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
Synonyms
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
January 2025 marks the 90 day period for delinquency.
—
Robert Farrington, Forbes, 9 Oct. 2024
Borrowers who can’t or don’t pay risk delinquency and eventually default.
—Adriana Morga, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2024
The delinquency rate for credit cards hit 3.25% in the second quarter, according to Fed data.
—Lindsey Leake, Fortune, 13 Sep. 2024
Hutchinson, who spoke at a high-profile conference hosted by Barclays, said that delinquencies spiked above the company's expectations over the summer.
—Courtenay Brown, Axios, 13 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for delinquency 
Robert Farrington, Forbes, 9 Oct. 2024
Borrowers who can’t or don’t pay risk delinquency and eventually default.
—Adriana Morga, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2024
The delinquency rate for credit cards hit 3.25% in the second quarter, according to Fed data.
—Lindsey Leake, Fortune, 13 Sep. 2024
Hutchinson, who spoke at a high-profile conference hosted by Barclays, said that delinquencies spiked above the company's expectations over the summer.
—Courtenay Brown, Axios, 13 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for delinquency
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'delinquency.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near delinquency
Cite this Entry
“Delinquency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/delinquency. Accessed 14 Oct. 2024.
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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