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.

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.

noun

advance , dispatch , expedition , furtherance , hastening , hurry , rush , speed , haste , promptness

verb

advance , dispatch , expedite , further , hasten , hurry , rush , speed , facilitate

noun

adjournment , bind , check , cooling-off period , cunctation , dawdling , demurral , detention , discontinuation , downtime * , filibuster , hangup , hindrance , holding , holding pattern , hold-up , impediment , interval , jam , lag , lingering , logjam , loitering , moratorium , obstruction , postponement , problem , procrastination , prorogation , putting off , remission , reprieve , retardation , retardment , setback , showstopper , stall , stay , stop , stoppage , surcease , suspension , tarrying , tie-up , waitnotes:various things may cause a delay , but a postponement will result from the action of a person , deferment , deferral , waiver , detainment , holdup , armistice , continuance , dalliance , deferring , laches , obstructionism , protraction , respite , retention , temporization

verb

adjourn , arrest , bar , bide time , block , check , choke , clog , confine , curb , dawdle , defer , detain , deter , dilly-dally * , discourage , drag , encumber , filibuster , gain time , hamper , hold , hold over , impede , inhibit , interfere , intermit , keep , keep back , lag , lay over , linger , loiter , obstruct , postpone , prevent , procrastinate , prolong , prorogue , protract , put off , remand , repress , restrict , retard , shelve , slacken , stall , stave off , stay , suspend , table , tarry , temporize , withholdnotes:various things may cause a delay , but a postponement will result from the action of a person , hold off , hold up , remit , waive , hang up , set back , slow , dally , dilly-dally , poke , trail , continue , deferment , demurral , detention , dillydally , dither , hesitate , hinder , interruption , lingering , logjam , lose time , moratorium , reprieve , shilly-shally , stonewall , stop , stoppage , suspension , temper , vacillate , wait , weaken