Delay

Quick meaning: Delay is a noun meaning A period of time before an event occurs; the act of delaying; procrastination; lingering inactivity.

Meaning

A period of time before an event occurs; the act of delaying; procrastination; lingering inactivity.

More Meanings

1. (music) An audio effects unit that introduces a controlled delay.
2. (programming, Clojure) Synonym of promise (“object representing delayed result”).
3. (chess) An amount of time provided on each move before one's clock starts to tick; a less common time control than increment.
4. To put off until a later time; to defer.
5. To retard; to temporarily stop, detain, or hinder.
6. (intransitive) To wait, hesitate, tarry.
7. (transitive, obsolete) To allay; to temper.

Example Sentences

Two twenty minutes' delays.

My lord delayeth his coming.

the delay before the echo of a sound

The mail is delayed by a heavy fall of snow.

Word Forms

• delays
• delaying
• delayed

Synonyms for delay

Depending on context, synonyms include cunctation, hold-up, deferment, dilation, detain, hinder.

Antonyms for delay

Common opposites include rush, hurry.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include postponement, wait, hold up, time lag, detain, stay.

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