delay in WordNet English dictionary

1. slow the growth or development of
   "The brain damage will retard the child's language development"
   check  retard  delay 
   
2. cause to be slowed down or delayed
   "Traffic was delayed by the bad weather"; "she delayed the work that she didn't want to perform"
   delay  detain  hold up 
   
3. stop or halt
   "Please stay the bloodshed!"
   stay  detain  delay 
   
4. act later than planned, scheduled, or required
   "Don't delay your application to graduate school or else it won't be considered"
   delay 
   

1. the act of delaying; inactivity resulting in something being put off until a later time
   delay  holdup 
   
2. time during which some action is awaited
   "instant replay caused too long a delay"; "he ordered a hold in the action"
   delay  hold  time lag  postponement  wait