verb (used with object)
- to put off to a later time; defer; postpone: The pilot delayed the flight until the weather cleared.
- to impede the process or progress of; retard; hinder: The dense fog delayed the plane’s landing.
verb (used without object)
- to put off action; linger; loiter: He delayed until it was too late.
- the act of delaying; procrastination; loitering.
- an instance of being delayed: There were many delays during the train trip.
- the period or amount of time during which something is delayed: The ballet performance began after a half-hour delay.
- (tr) to put off to a later time; defer
- (tr) to slow up, hinder, or cause to be late; detain
- (intr) to be irresolute or put off doing something; procrastinate
- (intr) to linger; dawdle
- the act or an instance of delaying or being delayed
- the interval between one event and another; lull; interlude
n.mid-13c., from Old French delaie, from delaiier (see delay (v.)). v.c.1300, from Old French delaiier, from de- “away, from” (see de-) + laier “leave, let,” probably a variant of Old French laissier, from Latin laxare “slacken, undo” (see lax). Related: Delayed; delaying.