- 1 [countable] 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. We apologize for the delay in answering your letter. a delay of two hours/a two-hour delay Increased congestion and traffic delays are expected. CollocationsTravel 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/vacationForeign travel 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 sicknessThe tourist industry 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 Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectiveconsiderable, enormous, lengthy, … … of delaysseries verb + delaybe subject to, be plagued by, encounter, … delay + verboccur prepositionwithout delay, delay in, delay of, … See full entry
- 2 [countable, uncountable] a situation in which something does not happen when it should; the act of delaying There's no time for delay. Report it to the police without delay (= immediately). Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectiveconsiderable, enormous, lengthy, … … of delaysseries verb + delaybe subject to, be plagued by, encounter, … delay + verboccur prepositionwithout delay, delay in, delay of, … See full entry Word OriginMiddle English: from Old French delayer (verb).Extra examples After a series of lengthy delays, the case finally came to court. Flights to New York may be subject to delay. 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. Please send him the information without delay. The building project has been plagued by bureaucratic delays. The strike has led to some delays in train services. There is a five-minute time delay on the bank’s safe. Travellers complained about lack of information when travel delays occurred. Undue delays have been caused by people not doing their jobs properly. a delay of several weeks delays in getting to the airport further delays to the plan Report it to the police without delay. There’s no time for delay. a delay of two hours/a two-hour delay
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