delinquency
noun
de·lin·quen·cy
di-ˈliŋ-kwən-sē 
-ˈlin-
plural delinquencies
1
a
: a delinquent act
b
: conduct that is out of accord with accepted behavior or the law
especially
: juvenile delinquency
2
: a debt on which payment is overdue
Synonyms
Examples of delinquency in a Sentence
They tried to steer him away from delinquency by giving him a job in their store.
She's been charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
a series of minor delinquencies
a high rate of delinquency
Recent Examples on the Web
Florida's high credit card delinquency rate coincides with news of skyrocketing credit card defaults in the U.S.
What To Know
Nevada is the only state to exceed Florida's average credit card delinquency rate at 12.95 percent.
—
Dan Perry, Newsweek, 4 Jan. 2025
Further, students who have completed a financial literacy course have better average credit scores and lower debt delinquency rates as young adults, according to data from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority’s Investor Education Foundation, which promotes financial education.
—Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 28 Dec. 2024
However, the report also reflected low debt delinquencies at only 3.5% of total consumer debt.
—Jason Schenker, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
The net charge-off rate for credit card loans increased to 5.28%, and the delinquency rate for credit card loans over 30 days past due rose to 3.84%.
—Quartz Bot, Quartz, 23 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for delinquency 
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Dan Perry, Newsweek, 4 Jan. 2025
Further, students who have completed a financial literacy course have better average credit scores and lower debt delinquency rates as young adults, according to data from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority’s Investor Education Foundation, which promotes financial education.
—Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 28 Dec. 2024
However, the report also reflected low debt delinquencies at only 3.5% of total consumer debt.
—Jason Schenker, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
The net charge-off rate for credit card loans increased to 5.28%, and the delinquency rate for credit card loans over 30 days past due rose to 3.84%.
—Quartz Bot, Quartz, 23 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for delinquency
Dictionary Entries Near delinquency
Cite this Entry
“Delinquency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/delinquency. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
delinquency
noun
de·lin·quen·cy
di-ˈliŋ-kwən-sē, -ˈlin-
plural delinquencies
: conduct that is out of accord with accepted behavior or the law
especially
: juvenile delinquency
Legal Definition
delinquency
noun
de·lin·quen·cy
di-ˈliŋ-kwən-sē
plural delinquencies
1
a
: the quality or state of being delinquent
b
: juvenile delinquency
contributing to the delinquency of a minor
2
: a debt on which payment is overdue
consumer loan delinquencies
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