The difference between Delay and Impede

When used as verbs, delay means to put off until a later time, whereas impede means to get in the way of.


Delay is also noun with the meaning: a period of time before an event occurs.

check bellow for the other definitions of Delay and Impede

  1. Delay as a noun:

    A period of time before an event occurs; the act of delaying; procrastination; lingering inactivity.

    Examples:

    "the delay before the echo of a sound"

  2. Delay as a noun (music):

    An audio effects unit that introduces a controlled delay.

  1. Delay as a verb:

    To put off until a later time; to defer.

  2. Delay as a verb:

    To retard; to stop, detain, or hinder, for a time.

    Examples:

    "The mail is delayed by a heavy fall of snow."

  3. Delay as a verb (obsolete):

    To allay; to temper.

  1. Delay as a verb (obsolete):

    To dilute, temper.

  2. Delay as a verb (obsolete):

    To assuage, quench, allay.

  1. Impede as a verb (transitive):

    To get in the way of; to hinder.