Definition of "delay" in English

noun

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

   • the delay before the echo of a sound
   • Two twenty minutes' delays.

2. (music) An audio effects unit that introduces a controlled delay.

3. (programming, Clojure) Synonym of promise (“object representing delayed result”).

4. (chess) An amount of time provided on each move before one's clock starts to tick; a less common time control than increment.

verb

1. To put off until a later time; to defer.

2. To retard; to temporarily stop, detain, or hinder.

   • The mail is delayed by a heavy fall of snow.

3. (intransitive) To wait, hesitate, tarry.

   • Don't delay; this special offer ends at midnight!

4. (transitive, obsolete) To allay; to temper.

verb

1. (obsolete) To dilute, temper.

2. (obsolete) To assuage, quench, allay.