relay
1 Americannoun
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a series of persons relieving one another or taking turns; shift.
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a fresh set of dogs or horses posted in readiness for use in a hunt, on a journey, etc.
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Sports.
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a length or leg in a relay race.
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Machinery. an automatic control device in which the settings of valves, switches, etc., are regulated by a powered element, as a motor, solenoid, or pneumatic mechanism actuated by a smaller, sensitive element.
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Electricity. a device, usually consisting of an electromagnet and an armature, by which a change of current or voltage in one circuit is used to make or break a connection in another circuit or to affect the operation of other devices in the same or another circuit.
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(initial capital letter) one of an early series of experimental low-altitude, active communications satellites.
verb (used with object)
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to carry forward by or as if by relays.
to relay a message.
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to provide with or replace by fresh relays.
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Electricity. to retransmit (a signal, message, etc.) by or as if by means of a telegraphic relay.
verb (used without object)
verb (used with object)
noun
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a person or team of people relieving others, as on a shift
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a fresh team of horses, dogs, etc, posted at intervals along a route to relieve others
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the act of relaying or process of being relayed
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short for relay race
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one of the sections of a relay race
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an automatic device that controls the setting of a valve, switch, etc, by means of an electric motor, solenoid, or pneumatic mechanism
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electronics an electrical device in which a small change in current or voltage controls the switching on or off of circuits or other devices
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radio
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a combination of a receiver and transmitter designed to receive radio signals and retransmit them, in order to extend their range
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( as modifier )
a relay station
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verb
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to carry or spread (something, such as news or information) by relays
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to supply or replace with relays
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to retransmit (a signal) by means of a relay
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to broadcast (a performance) by sending out signals through a transmitting station
this concert is being relayed from the Albert Hall
Etymology
Origin of relay
First recorded in 1375–1425; (for the verb) late Middle English relaien “to unleash fresh hounds in a hunt,” from Middle French relaier, Old French: “to leave behind, release,” from re- re- + laier “to leave” (dialectal variant of laissier, from Latin laxāre; relax ); (for the noun) late Middle English relai “set of fresh hounds,” from Middle French, derivative of relaier
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
While he was still at the station, he said, he relayed his concerns by phone to Battalion Chief Mario Garcia, who was in charge of the operation.
From Los Angeles Times
The crowd leaned in around her as she relayed a story about using a term on stage that an audience member felt was offensive.
From Los Angeles Times
"John needed a BBC person next to him at all times to support him, but also to relay and be aware of anything that he said," Byrne reflected.
From BBC
Inside there are banks of screens, relaying video and data from drones that is analysed by the Ukrainian military's leading-edge software.
From BBC
"However while his contributions to the SAG mostly related to safety, he nonetheless relayed the view of his community 'that this game should not go ahead'," the report states.
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
