Definition of delay - Reverso English Dictionary
Noun
1.
timeperiod of time before an event occurs
- There was a delay before the concert started.
2.
postponementinstance of delaying or being delayed
- The delay of the flight was unexpected.
3.
chessTECH. time provided on each move before the clock startsTECH.
- The chess match included a delay for each move.
Verb
1.
make latetr. cause someone or something to be latetr.
- Traffic can delay your arrival at the airport.
2.
postpone actiontr./intr. postpone doing something, sometimes on purpose or for too longtr./intr.
- He delayed finishing his homework until the last minute.
Expressions with delay
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not tolerate any postponement or hesitation
The manager brooks no delay in meeting deadlines.
pause in an event due to rain
The baseball game had a rain delay.
period before an event or action occurs
The time delay for the launch was approximately ten minutes..
right away, with no waiting or pause
Please call me without delay if you need help.
strategy to slow down a process or decision
The lawyer used a delay tactic to postpone the trial.
as soon as reasonably possible without unnecessary waiting or slowing
The company must respond to complaints without undue delay.
postpone or slow down a process
The committee decided to delay action on the proposal until next week.
as quickly as possible without waiting
Please respond with the least possible delay.
immediately without waiting any longer
Let's start the meeting without further delay.
delay in broadcasting to censor content
The show used a tape delay to bleep out swearing.
measured interval between a starting event and its noticeable result
The engineer reduced the delay time in the control system.
developmental lag in talking ability compared with others of similar age
The pediatrician diagnosed language delay during his preschool evaluation.
time needed for a signal to travel through a system
The propagation delay of the cable caused noticeable lag in the video feed.
timing difference in color information in video signals
The technician adjusted the chroma delay for better color accuracy.
component in a system that purposely slows a signal or process
The engineer added a delay element to stabilize the feedback loop.
device introducing delay in signal transmission
The delay line improved the signal timing.
pipeline position after a jump, where a step runs or stays idle
The compiler scheduled an add into the delay slot after the branch.
time delay of signal components in a system
The group delay affects the clarity of audio signals.
difference in timing between waves caused by a shift in their phase
We measured the phase delay between input and output of the filter.
risk associated with postponing action
The project faced significant danger in delay, risking financial losses..
stop postponing and take action immediately
Delay no more and submit your application now.
requires immediate attention or action
The emergency permit of no delay.
Origin of delay
Old French, delaier (to put off)
Terms with delay included in their meaning
💡 A powerful way to uncover related words, idioms, and expressions linked by the same idea — and explore meaning beyond exact word matches.
delay timing
after the expected or usual time
short delay
stay in place for about one minute
time
delay for a short period of time
delay
at the end after a long wait
urgency
without delay or hesitation
promptness
without delay
time
immediately, without delay
hold back
delay action until a specific time or event
finally
after a long time or delay
reservation
make a reservation without delay
communication
ask for a brief delay
time
request a brief pause or delay
immediate action
without delay or hesitation
urgency
immediately without delay
postpone action
delay action until a particular time or event
politeness
expresses gratitude to someone who has been patient during a delay
immediacy
without any delay or detour
time
immediately or without delay
no delay
happening immediately
immediately
without any delay
hesitation
hesitate or delay before doing something
promptness
with little delay
immediacy
immediately without pause or delay
simultaneous timing
happening all at the same time without delay or gap
Examples of delay in a sentence
We experienced a delay due to traffic. The delay in the project caused frustration. Traffic delay made her late for the meeting. Players appreciated the delay during intense matches. The delay allowed him to plan his strategy. The meeting was delayed due to technical issues.
Weather conditions may delay the train's departure. The storm delayed the ferry for three hours. Please don't delay submitting the report.
View all translations of delay
Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
- French:délai, retarder, ...
- German:Verzögerung, verzögern, ...
- Italian:ritardo, ritardare, ...
- Spanish:retraso, retrasar, ...
- Portuguese:atraso, atrasar, ...
- Chinese:延迟, 耽误, ...
- Japanese:遅れ, 遅らせる, ...
- Arabic:تَأْخِير, أَخَّرَ, ...
- Hebrew:עִכּוּב, לְעַכֵּב, ...
- Russian:задержка, задерживать, ...
- Ukrainian:затримка, затримувати, ...
- Hindi:देरी, देर कराना, ...
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