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delay Definition

de·lay (dē lā′, di-)

transitive verb

  1. to put off to a future time; postpone
  2. to make late; slow up; detain

Etymology: ME delaien < OFr delaier < de-, intens. + laier, to leave, let, altered (? after conjugation of faire) < laissier < L laxare: see relax

intransitive verb

to stop for a while; linger

noun

  1. a delaying or being delayed
  2. the period of time for which something is delayed

Related Forms:

delay Synonyms

delay

n.

  1. Postponement

    deferment, adjournment, putting off, procrastination, suspension, moratorium, deferral, pause, surcease, reprieve, setback, retardation, lag, remission, prorogation, stay, stop, discontinuation, dawdling, foot-dragging, cooling-off period, holdup, holding pattern; see also pause 1, 2, respite.

  2. Hindrance

    stoppage, obstacle, obstruction; see impediment 1.

delay Synonyms

delay

v.

  1. To cause a delay

    postpone, defer, put-off, retard, hold up, deter, hinder, hamper, clog, choke, slacken, keep, hold, protract, keep back, impede, discourage, interfere with, detain, stay, stop, withhold, lay over, arrest, check, prevent, repress, curb, obstruct, gain time, inhibit, restrict, prolong, encumber, confine, remand, prorogue, procrastinate, adjourn, block, bar, filibuster, intermit, suspend, stave off, table, shelve, pigeonhole, put aside, lay aside, lay by, push aside, slow, hang up, hang back, hold back, hold off, hold over, hold everything, be dilatory, bide one's time, arrest temporarily, impede the progress of, slow up, limit, slacken, stand off, stall, restrain, put on ice*, hold one's horses*, drag one's feet*; see also hinder.

    Antonyms speed*, accelerate*, encourage. *

  2. To make a delay

    hesitate, slow down, dawdle, dally; see linger 1, loiter, pause.

delay Telecom Definition
The total time required for a signal to travel from one point to another, generally from a transmitter through a network to a receiver. See also delay skew and latency.
delay Usage Examples

Object

  • onset: He might have delayed the onset, but eventually it would have overcome the effect of the nicotine.
  • tactic: And that was it. ' ' Yes. ' Soames said, slipping Maurice's envelope back into his pile: a delaying tactic.

Converse of object

  • avoid: Hints & Tips to help avoid delays All goods will require a signature.
  • cause: There may be some delays caused by the road works.
  • minimize: This would appear to be a clear breach of BA's duty to minimize delays in the system.
  • reduce: The third quarter of the year often sees reduced traffic delays during the summer holiday period.
  • suffer: Whereas, those who sell ' the next generation ' type products are suffering delays and getting stuck in trials and pilots.

Converse of subject

  • frustrate: Here no one gets frustrated by these little delays.

Adjective modifier

  • undue: Upon receipt of the fault report, the Company will take all proper steps without undue delay to correct the fault.
  • unnecessary: We aim to inspect the vehicle without unnecessary delay.
  • developmental: Subject to assessment, the following services may be provided: Portage - an early learning program for pre-school children with developmental delays.
  • slight: There may be a slight delay whilst your details are checked.
  • lengthy: This can lead to lengthy delays in the holding of an inquest.
  • unavoidable: However, the Supplier will not be liable for any loss or damage suffered by you through reasonable or unavoidable delay in delivery.

Adjective complement

  • gastric: Gastrointestinal system Vomiting, delayed gastric emptying, reduced bowel motility.

Noun used with modifier

  • airport: AIRPORT DELAYS We use the schedule services of the world's major international airlines.
  • flight: The snow also caused flight delays at Cardiff International Airport.
  • baggage: Carriage by carrier is also subject to international conventions, which limit liability for death injury delay and baggage delay or loss.

Preposition: in

  • diagnosis: Its onset is often insidious, leading to delays in diagnosis.
  • delivery: However, the Supplier will not be liable for any loss or damage suffered by you through reasonable or unavoidable delay in delivery.
delay Quotes

Yielded with coy submission, modest pride, And sweet reluctant amorous delay.

—Milton,John

But two miles more and then we rest! Well, there is still an hour of day, And long the brightness of the west Sit then, awhile, here in this wood So total is the solitude, We safely may delay.

—Bronte«  , Charlotte

Phillis, why shou'd we delay Pleasures shorter than the day?

—Waller, Edmund