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
Sherry Novelli faces charges of contributing to delinquency of a minor and interfering with the custody of a minor
Comments
A teen who went missing from a Florida foster home was being secretly housed and provided with alcohol and drugs by a woman intent on adopting him, authorities say.
—
Laura Barcella, People.com, 24 Feb. 2025
The 21-year-old was arrested on suspicion of criminal mischief, assault, escape and contributing to the delinquency of a minor, according to troopers.
—Sara Schilling, Sacramento Bee, 20 Feb. 2025
Anderson is charged with child neglect and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
—Dennis Romero, NBC News, 29 Jan. 2025
She was charged with child neglect and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
—Taylor Ardrey, USA TODAY, 28 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for delinquency
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Laura Barcella, People.com, 24 Feb. 2025
The 21-year-old was arrested on suspicion of criminal mischief, assault, escape and contributing to the delinquency of a minor, according to troopers.
—Sara Schilling, Sacramento Bee, 20 Feb. 2025
Anderson is charged with child neglect and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
—Dennis Romero, NBC News, 29 Jan. 2025
She was charged with child neglect and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
—Taylor Ardrey, USA TODAY, 28 Jan. 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 5 Mar. 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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