Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense relays, present participle relaying, past tense, past participle relayedpronunciation note: The noun is pronounced (riːleɪ). The verb is pronounced (rɪleɪ).
1. countable noun
A relay or a relay race is a race between two or more teams, for example teams of runners or swimmers. Each member of the team runs or swims one section of the race.
Britain's prospects of beating the United States in the relay looked poor.
2. verb
To relay television or radio signals means to send them or broadcast them.
The satellite will be used mainly to relay television programmes. [VERB noun]
This system monitors radiation levels and relays the information to a central computer. [V n + to/from]
The event will be relayed to a giant TV screen a mile away. [V n to/from n]
Synonyms: broadcast, carry, spread, communicate More Synonyms of relay
Relay is also a noun.
More than a thousand people outside listened to a relay of the proceedings.
3. countable noun
A relay is a piece of equipment that receives television or radio signals from one place and sends them to anotherplace.
...a security system with satellite relays.
...a television relay station.
4. verb
If you relay something that has been said to you, you repeat it to another person.
[formal]
She relayed the message, then frowned. [VERB noun]
The decision will be relayed to Iraq's ambassador at the U.N.. [beV-ed to/from n]
Synonyms: repeat, transfer, communicate, hand on More Synonyms of relay
More Synonyms of relay
relay in British English
noun (ˈriːleɪ)
1.
a person or team of people relieving others, as on a shift
2.
a fresh team of horses, dogs, etc, posted at intervals along a route to relieve others
3.
the act of relaying or process of being relayed
4.
a. short for relay race
b.
one of the sections of a relay race
5.
an automatic device that controls the setting of a valve, switch, etc, by means of an electric motor, solenoid, or pneumatic mechanism
6. electronics
an electrical device in which a small change in current or voltage controls the switching on or off of circuits or other devices
7. radio
a.
a combination of a receiver and transmitter designed to receive radio signals and retransmit them, in order to extend their range
b.
(as modifier)
a relay station
verb (rɪˈleɪ)(transitive)
8.
to carry or spread (something, such as news or information) by relays
9.
to supply or replace with relays
10.
to retransmit (a signal) by means of a relay
11. British
to broadcast (a performance) by sending out signals through a transmitting station
this concert is being relayed from the theatre
Word origin
C15 relaien, from Old French relaier to leave behind, from re- + laier to leave, ultimately from Latin laxāre to loosen; see relax
relay in American English
(ˈriˌleɪ; for v., also rɪˈleɪ)
noun
1.
a fresh supply of dogs, horses, etc. kept in readiness to relieve others in a hunt, on a journey, etc.
2.
a crew of workers relieving others at work; shift
3.
a.
relay race
b.
any of the legs, or laps, of a relay race
4.
an act or instance of conveying or transmitting by or as by relays
5.
servomotor
6. Electronics
an electromagnetic or electronic switching device activated by a signal and usually used to control a large current or to activate another deviceor circuit
verb transitiveWord forms: ˈreˌlayed or ˈreˌlaying
7.
to convey by relays
8.
to convey as if by relays; receive and pass on (a message, news, etc.)
9.
to supply or replace with a relay or relays
10. Electricity
to control, operate, or send on by a relay
Word origin
ME relai < MFr relais, pl., orig., hounds kept as reserves at points along the course of a hunt < relaier, to leave behind < re- (see re-) + laier, to leave, let: see delay
relay in Automotive Engineering
(rileɪ)
Word forms: (regular plural) relays
noun
(Automotive engineering: Vehicle components, Lighting and electrical/electronic systems)
A relay is a usually electrical device that switches on in response to a physical change, such as a pressure change or temperature change.
Almost all modern cars use relays to switch the headlamps and avoid the need to route their full current through thelighting switches.
There are two fuses and a relay that could keep the fuel pump from running.
Electrical power for the pump usually comes from a pump relay.
relay in Mechanical Engineering
(rileɪ)
Word forms: (regular plural) relays
noun
(Mechanical engineering: Control, instrumentation and metrology)
A relay is a device that controls the setting of a valve or switch automatically by meansof an electric motor, solenoid, or pneumatic mechanism.
If the alarm is triggered, the relay automatically cuts off the heater.
When the relays are in the position shown, current will flow vertically upwards through the fieldcoil.
A relay is a device that controls the setting of a valve or switch automatically by meansof an electric motor, solenoid, or pneumatic mechanism.
relay in Electrical Engineering
(rileɪ)
Word forms: (regular plural) relays
noun
(Electrical engineering: Circuits, Electrical power, Computing and control)
A relay is an electromagnetic switching device that consists of an armature that is moved by an electromagnet to operate one or more switch contacts.
Electromechanical relays comprise one or more electrical contacts having a mechanical movement, these beingcoupled to a moveable element of the magnetic circuit of an electromagnet.
When the main current exceeds the specification, the output voltage of the currenttransformer activates the relay and the protective circuit.
A relay is an electromagnetic switching device that consists of an armature that is movedby an electromagnet to operate one or more switch contacts.
Examples of 'relay' in a sentence
relay
These include relaying information to passengers' smartphones to flag up free seating.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The information would be relayed wirelessly from inside the passenger's body.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The system will be able to identify damage and relay the information to council headquarters, which can dispatch repair engineers.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
The information is relayed to other drivers who have installed the same equipment.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Three teams battled it out in a relay race while holding birthday candles.
The Sun (2010)
Their rights packages include a small number of places on the relay.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Less if you are in a relay team.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
This would clearly be the quickest way to relay the news.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
She would relay the message to the other members of her team.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It will track suspicious vessels and relay the information to manned naval patrols.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
They split into groups and prepare for a relay race.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Many had to take calls for each other and relay messages for a week.
The Sun (2016)
Then a relay place should follow.
The Sun (2011)
One was relayed direct to London by transatlantic cable.
Gavin Weightman SIGNOR MARCONI'S MAGIC BOX: The invention that sparked the radio revolution (2003)
We each excelled at a different stroke, making us a perfect medley relay team.
Christianity Today (2000)
His phone relayed the bad news, the scoreline made him check again.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
On account of the fact she hasn't yet relayed the information to her face.
The Sun (2015)
Britain's relay team joined the fun.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Some of the messages were relayed to cops by his anxious father Pascal.
The Sun (2015)
But after it collapsed, staff had to take details down by hand and relay them by radio.
The Sun (2011)
With gunfire cracking all around, the soldier seized his commander's radio and relayed what had happened to other members of the platoon.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Seeing off the US and Russia in the relay was only one highlight.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Once a game is under way, information from the monitoring systems is relayed to the laptops that sit in front of the off-field hierarchy.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
There was to be a 5 per cent increase in salary and for payments of 9 a week the orchestra agreed to twelve radio relays a year.
Susie Gilbert and Jay Shir A TALE OF FOUR HOUSES: Opera at Covent Garden, La Scala, Vienna and the Met since1945 (2003)
Word lists with
relay
athletics
In other languages
relay
British English: relay /ˈriːleɪ/ NOUN
A relay or a relay race is a race between two or more teams in which each member of the team runs or swims one section of the race.
Their chances of winning the relay were good.
American English: relay race
Arabic: سِبَاقُ الـمَرَاحِل
Brazilian Portuguese: revezamento
Chinese: 接力赛
Croatian: smjena
Czech: štafeta závod
Danish: stafet
Dutch: estafette
European Spanish: relevo
Finnish: vuoronvaihto
French: relais
German: Ablösung Arbeiter
Greek: ρελέ
Italian: staffetta
Japanese: 交替班
Korean: 교대조
Norwegian: relé
Polish: zmiana koni lub zawodników w grze
European Portuguese: revezamento
Romanian: ștafetă
Russian: эстафета
Latin American Spanish: relevo
Swedish: relä
Thai: การวิ่งผลัด
Turkish: eski grubun yerini alan yeni grup
Ukrainian: естафета
Vietnamese: người chạy tiếp sức
British English: relay NOUN
A relay or a relay race is a race between two or more teams, for example teams of runners or swimmers.
Their prospects of beating the rival country in the relay looked poor.
American English: relay
Brazilian Portuguese: corrida de revezamento
Chinese: 接力赛
European Spanish: carrera de relevos
French: course de relais
German: Staffel
Italian: staffetta
Japanese: リレー
Korean: 계주
European Portuguese: corrida de revezamento
Latin American Spanish: carrera de postas
British English: relay VERB
signal To relay television or radio signals means to send them or broadcast them.
The satellite will be used mainly to relay television programmes.
American English: relay
Brazilian Portuguese: retransmitir
Chinese: 转播
European Spanish: retransmitir
French: retransmettre
German: übermitteln
Italian: trasmettere
Japanese: 中継する
Korean: 중계하다
European Portuguese: retransmitir
Latin American Spanish: retransmitir
British English: relay VERB
repeat If you relay something that has been said to you, you repeat it to another person.
She relayed the message, then frowned.
American English: relay
Brazilian Portuguese: retransmitir
Chinese: 转告
European Spanish: transmitir
French: relayer
German: übermitteln
Italian: trasmettere
Japanese: 取り次ぐ
Korean: 들은 이야기를 전달하다
European Portuguese: retransmitir
Latin American Spanish: transmitir
All related terms of 'relay'
re-lay
to lift up (a carpet , floorboards , etc) and then attach them back to their usual permanent position
relay fast
(esp in India ) a form of protest in which a number of persons go without food by turns
relay race
a race between two or more teams of contestants in which each contestant covers a specified portion of the distance
relay squad
A squad is a group of players from which a sports team will be chosen .
medley relay
a relay race in which each swimmer uses a different stroke
relay runner
a person who runs in a relay race
relay station
a radio station that receives radio signals and retransmits them, in order to extend their range
relay language
a language, usually an internationally dominant one, which acts as a medium to translate other usually little-spoken languages
relay hunger strike
(esp in India ) a form of protest in which a number of persons go without food by turns
Chinese translation of 'relay'
relay
(nˈriːleɪ; vbrɪˈleɪ)
n(c)
(also relay race) 接力赛(賽) (jiēlìsài) (场(場), chǎng)
vt
[message, news]转(轉)述 (zhuǎnshù)
[programme, broadcast]转(轉)播 (zhuǎnbō)
1 (verb)
Definition
to broadcast (a performance or event) as it happens
It will be used mainly to relay television programmes.
Synonyms
broadcast
CNN also broadcasts programmes in Europe.
carry
He carried the plate through to the dining room.
spread
Someone has been spreading rumours about us.
communicate
typhus, a disease communicated by body lice
transmit
letters begging them to transmit the programme daily
send out
stream
2 (verb)
Definition
to pass on (a message)
She relayed the message, then frowned.
Synonyms
repeat
transfer
Certain kinds of property are transferred automatically.
communicate
hand on
pass on
impart
the ability to impart knowledge and command respect
retweet (computing)
RT (computing)
1 (noun)
More than a thousand people listened to a relay of the proceedings.
Synonyms
broadcast
a broadcast on the national radio
programme
a series of TV programmes on global warming
communication
The ambassador has brought a communication from the President.
transmission
A webcast is a transmission using the internet.
dispatch
this dispatch from our West Africa correspondent
telecast
webcast
message
Would you like to leave a message?
2 (noun)
Definition
a fresh set of people or animals relieving others
Synonyms
shift
turn
Let each child have a turn at fishing.
relief
Additional synonyms
in the sense of carry
Definition
to take from one place to another
He carried the plate through to the dining room.
Synonyms
convey,
take,
move,
bring,
bear,
lift,
transfer,
conduct,
transport,
haul,
transmit,
fetch,
relay,
cart,
tote (informal),
hump (British, slang),
lug
in the sense of communicate
Definition
to transmit (to)
typhus, a disease communicated by body lice
Synonyms
pass on,
transfer,
spread,
transmit
in the sense of communication
Definition
something communicated, such as a message
The ambassador has brought a communication from the President.
Synonyms
message,
news,
report,
word,
information,
statement,
intelligence,
announcement,
disclosure,
dispatch,
email or e-mail,
text
Synonyms of 'relay'
relay
Explore 'relay' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of dispatch
Definition
a report sent to a newspaper by a correspondent
this dispatch from our West Africa correspondent
Synonyms
message,
news,
report,
story,
letter,
account,
piece,
item,
document,
communication,
instruction,
bulletin,
communiqué,
missive
in the sense of impart
Definition
to communicate (information or knowledge)
the ability to impart knowledge and command respect
Synonyms
communicate,
pass on,
convey,
tell,
reveal,
discover,
relate,
disclose,
divulge,
make known
in the sense of message
Definition
a communication from one person or group to another
Would you like to leave a message?
Synonyms
communication,
note,
bulletin,
word,
letter,
notice,
memo,
dispatch,
memorandum,
communiqué,
missive,
intimation,
tidings,
email or e-mail,
text or text message,
SMS,
IMS,
MSG,
tweet,
mention or @mention
in the sense of programme
Definition
a broadcast on radio or television
a series of TV programmes on global warming
Synonyms
show,
performance,
production,
broadcast,
episode,
presentation,
transmission,
telecast,
podcast
in the sense of spread
Definition
to send or be sent out in all directions or to many people
Someone has been spreading rumours about us.
Synonyms
circulate,
publish,
broadcast,
advertise,
distribute,
scatter,
proclaim,
transmit,
make public,
publicize,
propagate,
disseminate,
promulgate,
make known,
blazon,
bruit
in the sense of transfer
Definition
to move (money or property) from the control of one person or organization to that of another
Certain kinds of property are transferred automatically.
Synonyms
hand over,
give,
commit,
surrender,
pass on,
transmit,
convey,
assign,
divert,
turn over,
relinquish,
entrust,
consign,
devolve,
make over,
cede,
redirect,
sign over
in the sense of transmission
Definition
something that is transmitted, esp. a radio or television broadcast
A webcast is a transmission using the internet.
Synonyms
programme,
broadcast,
show,
production,
telecast,
transport,
podcast
in the sense of transmit
Definition
to broadcast (a radio or television programme)
letters begging them to transmit the programme daily
Synonyms
broadcast,
put on the air,
televise,
relay,
send,
air,
radio,
send out,
disseminate,
beam out,
stream,
podcast
in the sense of turn
Definition
the right or opportunity to do something in an agreed order or succession