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

• default
• dereliction
• failure
• misprision
• neglect
• negligence
• nonfeasance
• oversight

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

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

Anderson was also charged of child neglect and contributing to the delinquency of a minor, police said. —Mark Price, Miami Herald, 27 Jan. 2025

Anderson was also arrested and charged with child neglect and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. —Jon Haworth, ABC News, 27 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

delinqu(ent) entry 2 + -ency

First Known Use

1625, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing delinquency

• juvenile delinquency

Medical 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