1. The act of postponing or slowing (the continuance was sought for no purpose other than delay). Cf. VEXATIOUS DELAY.
2. An instance at which something is postponed or slowed (the delay in starting the trial made it difficult for all the witnesses to attend).
3. The period during which something is postponed or slowed (during the delay, the case settled).
4. Civil law. The period within which a party to a suit must take some action, such as perfecting an appeal or responding to a written-discovery request ( the delay for responding to written interrogatories is 15 days after the date they are served on the responding party).
