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
Further, students with a financial literacy course under their belt 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 seeks to promote financial education.
—
Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 8 Apr. 2025
Even before the announcement of these tariffs, delinquency rates had been rising in auto loans, credit cards, and mortgages.
—Mayra Rodriguez Valladares, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Economic reports, including recent findings from the New York Federal Reserve, confirm that at increasing rates, with more than 90-day delinquencies at their highest level in three years.
—Alice Gibbs, Newsweek, 1 Mar. 2025
Getting the best results requires not taking on more credit and avoiding delinquencies.
—Ashley Donohoe, Sacramento Bee, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for delinquency
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Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 8 Apr. 2025
Even before the announcement of these tariffs, delinquency rates had been rising in auto loans, credit cards, and mortgages.
—Mayra Rodriguez Valladares, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Economic reports, including recent findings from the New York Federal Reserve, confirm that at increasing rates, with more than 90-day delinquencies at their highest level in three years.
—Alice Gibbs, Newsweek, 1 Mar. 2025
Getting the best results requires not taking on more credit and avoiding delinquencies.
—Ashley Donohoe, Sacramento Bee, 21 Mar. 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 18 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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