delay definition

1. time during which some action is awaited
• examples: instant replay caused too long a delay
• examples: he ordered a hold in the action
2. the act of delaying; inactivity resulting in something being put off until a later time
3. cause to be slowed down or delayed
• examples: Traffic was delayed by the bad weather
• examples: she delayed the work that she didn't want to perform
4. act later than planned, scheduled, or required
• examples: Don't delay your application to graduate school or else it won't be considered