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
He’s now charged with harboring or hiding a runaway child, contributing to the delinquency of a minor and violation of alcoholic beverage laws, according to the Loudon County Sheriff’s Office.
—
Olivia Lloyd, Charlotte Observer, 22 May 2024
This provision is unconscionable at a time when credit card interest rates have soared past 22%, credit card delinquencies are rising, and 41% of Americans hold medical or dental debt.
—Denise Dunckel Morse, Fortune, 16 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for delinquency 
Olivia Lloyd, Charlotte Observer, 22 May 2024
This provision is unconscionable at a time when credit card interest rates have soared past 22%, credit card delinquencies are rising, and 41% of Americans hold medical or dental debt.
—Denise Dunckel Morse, Fortune, 16 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for delinquency
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'delinquency.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near delinquency
Cite this Entry
“Delinquency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/delinquency. Accessed 29 May. 2024.
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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