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 restart of collections comes as data from a recent analysis shows delinquency rates among people with student debt are at an all-time high.
—
Anne Marie D. Lee, CBS News, 5 May 2025
The Department has suggested that more than five million borrowers have not made a monthly payment in over 360 days, and 4 million borrowers are in late-stage delinquency (91-180 days).
—Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025
The analysts, who kept their buy-equivalent rating, cited a decline in delinquency rates, revealed in Tuesday’s solid quarter, and big share buybacks as the Discover Financial acquisition closes next month.
10.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2025
More than 5 million borrowers have not made a monthly payment in over 360 days and sit in default, and 4 million borrowers are in late-stage delinquency of 91 to 180 days, according to the department.
—Todd Karpovich, Baltimore Sun, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for delinquency
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Anne Marie D. Lee, CBS News, 5 May 2025
The Department has suggested that more than five million borrowers have not made a monthly payment in over 360 days, and 4 million borrowers are in late-stage delinquency (91-180 days).
—Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025
The analysts, who kept their buy-equivalent rating, cited a decline in delinquency rates, revealed in Tuesday’s solid quarter, and big share buybacks as the Discover Financial acquisition closes next month.
10.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2025
More than 5 million borrowers have not made a monthly payment in over 360 days and sit in default, and 4 million borrowers are in late-stage delinquency of 91 to 180 days, according to the department.
—Todd Karpovich, Baltimore Sun, 24 Apr. 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 13 May. 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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