- [countable, uncountable] a period of time when somebody/something has to wait because of a problem that makes something slow or late
- Commuters will face long delays on the roads today.
- to experience/suffer delays
- to avoid/minimize further delays
- Increased congestion and traffic delays are expected.
- a delay of two hours/a two-hour delay
- delay in something The strike has led to some delays in train services.
- delay in doing something We apologize for the delay in answering your letter.
- delay to something These issues have caused serious delays to the project.
- Flights to New York may be subject to delay.
Collocations Travel and tourismTravel and tourismHolidays/vacations- have/take (British English) a holiday/(North American English) a vacation/a break/a day off/(British English) a gap year
- go on/be on holiday/vacation/leave/honeymoon/safari/a trip/a tour/a cruise/a pilgrimage
- go backpacking/camping/hitchhiking/sightseeing
- plan a trip/a holiday/a vacation/your itinerary
- book accommodation/a hotel room/a flight/tickets
- have/make/cancel a reservation/(especially British English) booking
- rent a villa/(both British English) a holiday home/a holiday cottage
- (especially British English) hire/ (especially North American English) rent a car/bicycle/moped
- stay in a hotel/a bed and breakfast/a youth hostel/a villa/(both British English) a holiday home/a caravan
- cost/charge $100 a/per night for a single/double/twin/standard/(British English) en suite room
- check into/out of a hotel/a motel/your room
- pack/unpack your suitcase/bags
- call/order room service
- cancel/cut short a trip/holiday/vacation
- apply for/get/renew a/your passport
- take out/buy/get travel insurance
- catch/miss your plane/train/ferry/connecting flight
- fly (in)/travel in business/economy class
- make/have a brief/two-day/twelve-hour stopover/(North American English also) layover in Hong Kong
- experience/cause/lead to delays
- check (in)/collect/get/lose (your) (especially British English) luggage/(especially North American English) baggage
- be charged for/pay excess baggage
- board/get on/leave/get off the aircraft/plane/ship/ferry
- taxi down/leave/approach/hit/overshoot the runway
- experience/hit/encounter severe turbulence
- suffer from/recover from/get over your jet lag/travel sickness
- attract/draw/bring tourists/visitors
- encourage/promote/hurt tourism
- promote/develop ecotourism
- build/develop/visit a tourist/holiday/(especially British English) seaside/beach/ski resort
- work for/be operated by a major hotel chain
- be served by/compete with low-cost/(especially North American English) low-fare/budget airlines
- book something through/make a booking through/use a travel agent
- contact/check with your travel agent/tour operator
- book/be on/go on a package deal/holiday/tour
- buy/bring back (tacky/overpriced) souvenirs
Extra Examples- After a series of lengthy delays, the case finally came to court.
- I apologize for the delay in replying to you.
- Passengers complain about lack of information when travel delays occur.
- Passengers have experienced long delays.
- Please address your letters properly so as to reduce delays.
- The building project has been plagued by bureaucratic delays.
- Undue delays have been caused by people not doing their jobs properly.
- delays in getting to the airport
- further delays to the plan
- There is a five-minute time delay on the bank's safe.
- Travel delays and cancellations are to be expected.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- considerable
- enormous
- lengthy
- …
- series
- be subject to
- be plagued by
- encounter
- …
- occur
- without delay
- delay in
- delay of
- …
- [uncountable] failure to do something quickly or at the right time; the act of delaying
- There's no time for delay.
- without delay Report it to the police without delay (= immediately).
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- considerable
- enormous
- lengthy
- …
- series
- be subject to
- be plagued by
- encounter
- …
- occur
- without delay
- delay in
- delay of
- …
Word OriginMiddle English: from Old French delayer (verb).
Check pronunciation:
delay