delay meaning and definition

DELAY noun

Definition of delay (noun)

1. time during which some action is awaited
   • "instant replay caused too long a delay"; "he ordered a hold in the action"
   • synonyms: hold, postponement, time lag, wait
2. the act of delaying; inactivity resulting in something being put off until a later time
   • synonyms: holdup

DELAY verb

Definition of delay (verb)

1. cause to be slowed down or delayed
   • "Traffic was delayed by the bad weather"; "she delayed the work that she didn't want to perform"
   • synonyms: detain, hold up
   • antonym: hurry
2. act later than planned, scheduled, or required
   • "Don't delay your application to graduate school or else it won't be considered"
3. stop or halt
   • "Please stay the bloodshed!"
   • synonyms: detain, stay
4. slow the growth or development of
   • "The brain damage will retard the child's language development"
   • synonyms: check, retard