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Delay

/dɪˈleɪ/

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

📖 Definitions of "Delay"

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"
2
An audio effects unit that introduces a controlled delay.

verb

1
To put off until a later time; to defer.
2
To retard; to stop, detain, or hinder, for a time.
"The mail is delayed by a heavy fall of snow."
3
To allay; to temper.

9 synonyms found via WordNet and Google Books.

Word	Definition
holdverb	(transitive) To grasp or grip.
stayverb	(intransitive) To remain in a particular place, especially for a definite or short period of time; sojourn; abide.
detainverb	(transitive) To keep someone from proceeding by holding them back or making claims on their attention.
detentionnoun	(countable) A temporary state of custody or confinement.
hold upverb	(idiomatic) To detain by threatening, usually with a weapon, in order to commit robbery.
time lagnoun	A period of time between one event and another; a delay.
postponementnoun	A delay, as a formal delay in a proceeding.
holdupnoun	Alternative form of hold-up. [(colloquial) A delay or wait.]
waitverb	(intransitive) To delay movement or action until some event or time; to remain neglected or in readiness.

Words with the opposite meaning.

Word	Definition
rushnoun	A sudden forward motion.
hurrynoun	(intransitive) To do things quickly.

Found via reverse dictionary — words that share a conceptual meaning.

Word	Definition
postponementnoun	A delay, as a formal delay in a proceeding.
waitnoun	(intransitive) To delay movement or action until some event or time; to remain neglected or in readiness.
hold upverb	(idiomatic) To detain by threatening, usually with a weapon, in order to commit robbery.
time lagnoun	A period of time between one event and another; a delay.
detainverb	(transitive) To keep someone from proceeding by holding them back or making claims on their attention.
staynoun	Continuance or a period of time spent in a place; abode for an indefinite time.
holdnoun	A grasp or grip.
detentionnoun	(countable) A temporary state of custody or confinement.
holdupnoun	Alternative form of hold-up. [(colloquial) A delay or wait.]
dilatory	Intentionally delaying (someone or something), intended to cause delay, gain time, or adjourn decision.
procrastinateverb	(intransitive) To delay taking action; to wait until later.
postponedverb	Done later than originally planned; delayed.
deferrednoun	Delayed; put off till later.
postponeverb	To delay or put off an event, appointment, etc.
procrastinationnoun	The act of postponing, delaying or putting off, especially habitually or intentionally.
defermentnoun	An act or instance of deferring or putting off.
deferverb	(transitive) To delay or postpone.
deferralnoun	An act of deferring, a deferment.
lagnoun	(countable) A gap, a delay; an interval created by something not keeping up; a latency.
hold-upnoun	(slang) A robbery at gunpoint.