delay

(noun) time during which some action is awaited. Synonyms: hold, time lag, postponement, wait. Examples: "Instant replay caused too long a delay." "He ordered a hold in the action."

(noun) the act of delaying; inactivity resulting in something being put off until a later time. Synonyms: holdup.

(verb) cause to be slowed down or delayed. Synonyms: detain, hold up. Examples: "Traffic was delayed by the bad weather." "She delayed the work that she didn't want to perform."

(verb) act later than planned, scheduled, or required. Examples: "Don't delay your application to graduate school or else it won't be considered."

(verb) stop or halt. Synonyms: stay, detain. Examples: "Please stay the bloodshed!."

(verb) slow the growth or development of. Synonyms: check, retard. Examples: "The brain damage will retard the child's language development."