relay
REE-lay
Relay (verb) means to pass on information received from one person or source to another. Example: “Could you relay the message to Tom when you see him tonight?”
verb
1
To pass on information received from one person or source to another.
"Could you relay the message to Tom when you see him tonight?"
"She relayed the manager's instructions to the rest of the team."
"The satellite relays signals between ground stations."
noun
1
A race or competition in which team members take turns completing part of the course.
"The final runner dropped the baton during the relay, and the team lost."
"Our swimming club entered a relay race at the summer gala."
"Their school won the 4x100 metre relay at regionals."
2
(electronics) A switch operated by an electric current, used to control a larger circuit.
"The engineer replaced the relay that switches the heating on and off."
"When the relay clicks, a small current turns on the powerful motor."
"A faulty relay was causing the headlights to flicker."
How to use relay
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo pass something along — a message, a signal, or a baton in a race.
Common pairings
relay a message
relay race
relay team
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Word forms
- Plural
- relays
- Third person singular
- relays
- Past tense
- relayed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Could you _____ the message to Tom when you see him tonight?
Etymology
From Old French relai, originally referring to a reserve pack of hounds kept fresh to continue a hunt.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for relay
See all rhymes for relay →Frequently asked questions
What does “relay” mean?
The word “relay” means to pass on information received from one person or source to another. In plain terms, to pass something along — a message, a signal, or a baton in a race.
How do you pronounce “relay”?
“Relay” is pronounced REE-lay (/ˈɹiːleɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “relay” in a sentence?
Here is “relay” used in a sentence: “She relayed the manager's instructions to the rest of the team.”
What part of speech is “relay”?
Depending on how it is used, “relay” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “relay” come from?
The word “relay” comes from Old French. From Old French relai, originally referring to a reserve pack of hounds kept fresh to continue a hunt.
Is “relay” a common word?
“Relay” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “relay” have?
“Relay” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to pass on information received from one person or source to another.
What is the difference between relay and transmit?
Relay means to pass on information that has already been received from one person or source to another, implying an intermediate step. Transmit is broader and simply means to send or communicate something, whether or not it passed through an intermediary first. A person relays a message they heard, while a device can transmit a signal directly from its origin.
What is a relay in sports?
In sports, a relay is a race or competition in which team members take turns completing part of the course, such as a relay race in track and field or swimming. Each team member covers one leg of the race before passing a baton or touching off the next runner.
What does relay mean in electronics?
In electronics, a relay is a switch operated by an electric current that is used to control a larger circuit. It allows a small control signal to switch on or off a much larger electrical load safely.
