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
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
Despite multiple promises to pay by Mike Lindell, MyPillow's owner, and various suggested payment plans, delinquencies increased.
—
Russel Honoré, Newsweek, 5 Mar. 2025
The strategist believes signs of weakness in consumer spending, such as spiking credit card delinquency levels, could ultimately hit Instacart's business as individuals hold back on discretionary spending.
—Pia Singh, CNBC, 26 Feb. 2025
Some of the financial woes are severe enough that a growing number of office buildings have flopped into loan delinquencies or even foreclosures.
—George Avalos, The Mercury News, 19 Feb. 2025
The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia reported last week that credit card balances and delinquencies are on the rise and that active cardholders making the minimum payment is at a 12-year high.
—Boston Herald Wire Services, Boston Herald, 28 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for delinquency
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Russel Honoré, Newsweek, 5 Mar. 2025
The strategist believes signs of weakness in consumer spending, such as spiking credit card delinquency levels, could ultimately hit Instacart's business as individuals hold back on discretionary spending.
—Pia Singh, CNBC, 26 Feb. 2025
Some of the financial woes are severe enough that a growing number of office buildings have flopped into loan delinquencies or even foreclosures.
—George Avalos, The Mercury News, 19 Feb. 2025
The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia reported last week that credit card balances and delinquencies are on the rise and that active cardholders making the minimum payment is at a 12-year high.
—Boston Herald Wire Services, Boston Herald, 28 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for delinquency
Cite this Entry
“Delinquency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/delinquency. Accessed 16 Apr. 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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