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
For example, New York Fed data show that the transition into serious delinquency for student loans among borrowers aged 50 and older was roughly 15% of balances in the first quarter of 2026, based on a four-quarter moving sum.
—
True Tamplin,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2026
With a rising share of new homebuyers overextending their budgets or accepting high mortgage rates just to close on a home, delinquencies are rising.
—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
30 June 2026
When juveniles joined the effort, he was arrested for contributing to the delinquency of minors.
—
Gary Fields,
Los Angeles Times,
29 June 2026
Other recent studies have linked the legalization of online sports gambling to an increase in bankruptcies, debt and credit card delinquencies, as well as a decrease in credit scores and savings.
—
Suzy Khimm,
NBC news,
26 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for delinquency
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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True Tamplin,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2026
With a rising share of new homebuyers overextending their budgets or accepting high mortgage rates just to close on a home, delinquencies are rising.
—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
30 June 2026
When juveniles joined the effort, he was arrested for contributing to the delinquency of minors.
—
Gary Fields,
Los Angeles Times,
29 June 2026
Other recent studies have linked the legalization of online sports gambling to an increase in bankruptcies, debt and credit card delinquencies, as well as a decrease in credit scores and savings.
—
Suzy Khimm,
NBC news,
26 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for delinquency
Cite this Entry
“Delinquency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/delinquency. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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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