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delay

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noun American English pronunciation: delay /dɪˈleɪ/ 
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singulardelay
pluraldelays
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Related dictionary definitions

  1. 1
    [countable/uncountable] a situation in which something happens later or more slowly than you expected

    Why the delay?

    delay in:

    Try to find the reason for any delay in payment.

    delay in doing something:

    Please excuse my delay in replying.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of delay
    1. a.
      [countable] a situation in which a plane, train, etc. leaves or arrives late

      Trees had fallen near the railroad tracks, causing more delays.

      After a long delay, the plane finally took off.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of delay
  2. 2
    [uncountable] failure to do something quickly

    We have encountered nothing but obstruction and delay from our suppliers.

    without delay (=quickly):

    I hope that discussions will take place without delay.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of delay
  3. 3
    [countable] the time between an event and its result or between one event and the next

    Callers' comments were aired after a ten-second delay.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of delay

This is the American English definition of delay. View British English definition of delay.

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View the pronunciation for delay.

 

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