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
Consumer stress, rising delinquencies, and tariff pass-throughs will all collide with a fragile labor market and weaker retail season.
—
Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2025
Spending is strong and delinquency rates are actually coming in below expectations.
—Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2025
America’s current subprime delinquency rate is at the second-highest level since the early 1990s.
—Matt Egan, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2025
Many Americans are struggling to keep up with their car loans and falling into delinquency due to soaring car prices and high interest rates.
—Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for delinquency
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show current usage.
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Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2025
Spending is strong and delinquency rates are actually coming in below expectations.
—Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2025
America’s current subprime delinquency rate is at the second-highest level since the early 1990s.
—Matt Egan, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2025
Many Americans are struggling to keep up with their car loans and falling into delinquency due to soaring car prices and high interest rates.
—Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Oct. 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 31 Oct. 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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