wait
verb
\ ˈwāt
\
\
Definition of wait
(Entry 1 of 2)
1
: to stay in place in expectation of : await
waited the result of the advertisement— W. M. Thackeray wait your turn
2
: to delay serving (a meal)
3
: to serve as waiter for
wait tables
1a
: to remain stationary in readiness or expectation
wait for a train
b
: to pause for another to catch up
—usually used with up
2a
: to look forward expectantly
just waiting to see his rival lose
b
: to hold back expectantly
waiting for a chance to strike
3
: to serve at meals
—usually used in such phrases as wait on tables or wait on table
4a
: to be ready and available
slippers waiting by the bed
b
: to remain temporarily neglected or unrealized
the chores can wait
wait on
or less commonly wait upon
wait up
1a
: to attend as a servant
b
: to supply the wants of : serve
2
: to make a formal call on
3
: to wait for
: to delay going to bed : stay up
wait
nounDefinition of wait (Entry 2 of 2)
1a
: a hidden or concealed position
—used chiefly in the expression lie in wait
b
: a state or attitude of watchfulness and expectancy
anchored in wait for early morning fishing— Fred Zimmer
2a
: one of a band of public musicians in England employed to play for processions or public entertainments
b(1)
: one of a group who serenade for gratuities especially at the Christmas season
(2)
: a piece of music by such a group
3
: an act or period of waiting
a long wait in line
Keep scrolling for more
Synonyms for wait
Synonyms: Verb
Synonyms: Noun
delay, detainment, detention, holdback, holding pattern, holdup
Visit the Thesaurus for More
Examples of wait in a Sentence
Verb
I hate waiting in long lines. They waited at the train station together. You should have waited a little longer. He showed up right after you left. I don't have time to wait around. If he's not here in five minutes, I'm leaving. She waited behind after class to talk to the professor. I'm sorry to have kept you waiting. How may I help you? I waited and waited but he never showed up. Wait! Don't start the engine yet. We waited for the sun to set before starting the fire. I know she was happy when I lost my job. She was waiting to see me fail.Noun
there was a long wait for the manager to come and help us
Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
Slide the roasting pan into the oven, close the door, and wait! — Charlyne Mattox, Country Living, "How to Perfectly Cook a 20-Pound Thanksgiving Turkey," 16 Aug. 2019 Photographers want to find these lines naturally in the frame, compose around them, and wait for the perfect instant—the decisive moment—to suspend that moment in time. — Kristen Mcnicholas, National Geographic, "Your best photos of the week, August 16, 2019," 16 Aug. 2019 La Cañada Elementary School students waited for new asphalt in the play area to cure and accommodated the installation of perimeter fencing, while students at Paradise Canyon enjoyed new lunch shelters for the first time. — Sara Cardine, La Cañada Valley Sun, "La Cañada Unified students receive warm welcome to 2019-20 school year," 15 Aug. 2019 In less than two days, researchers on board the ship were able to confirm the presence of great whites without having to wait for one to surface and show off its telltale fin. — Amanda Paulson, The Christian Science Monitor, "Message in a bottle: Forensics meets marine science with eDNA," 15 Aug. 2019 Since then, tBP and the board had been waiting for approval from the Division of the State Architect, which was granted this past March. — Andrew J. Campa, Glendale News-Press, "Costly Glendale High School pool appears headed toward reality," 9 Aug. 2019 Midday, sit at a cafe and wait for the light to be nice. — Natalie B. Compton, The Know, "Photographers spill their tips for capturing the best shots while traveling," 6 Aug. 2019 Each one sat on a stalk and held dark brown spores waiting to be released. — Cori Brown, baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll, "Cori Brown: Creepy beauty can be found in the woods," 17 Aug. 2019 In a response to the town hall, San Antonio Congressman Joaquin Castro said the state can’t wait until the next legislative session in 2021 for change. — Allie Morris And Benjamin Wermund, ExpressNews.com, "Gov. Abbott: No special session on guns, red flag laws," 16 Aug. 2019Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
And with that acclaim came lines — long, long lines with wait times extending to five hours or more. — San Antonio Express-News, "52 Weeks of BBQ: Naming the best of the best San Antonio barbecue," 30 Aug. 2019 What if there’s a shortage of staff because several of the wait staff are out with the flu? — Michelle Singletary, Washington Post, "How much to tip when the service is bad," 29 Aug. 2019 The airport has matured and is operating very smoothly, with reasonable wait times at security, a wide variety of dining options on the concourses and reliable baggage and transport systems. — Dp Opinion, The Denver Post, "Letters: A fair deal at Kaiser; No need to renovate DIA; Keeping foreign automakers out of federal contracts (8/29/19)," 29 Aug. 2019 This wait time is a result of immigration law reforms that were made in 1965. — Justice Amick, Indianapolis Star, "'Driven by desperation': Fleeing hunger and despair in Mexico to a new life as a Hoosier," 22 Aug. 2019 Jenny had everything organized down to the last detail, including the outfits (yes, there were multiple) for herself, the Blue Bloods star, and even the wait staff, according to Page Six. — Megan Stein, Country Living, "Donnie Wahlberg’s Wife Jenny McCarthy Threw Him the Most Insane 50th Birthday Party," 21 Aug. 2019 The wait staff was well accustomed to treating their longtime guest with deference and offered us a private nook. — Sam Patten, WIRED, "Kostya and Me: How Sam Patten Got Ensnared in Mueller’s Probe," 14 Aug. 2019 The tables have thick white tablecloths and hefty cutlery, and the wait staff is courteous and attentive. — Coco Mccabe, BostonGlobe.com, "Dal Mare in Beverly Farms offers a classic night out," 7 Aug. 2019