/ Dictionary / Index W wait: Meaning and Definition of Find definitions for: wait Pronunciation: (wāt), [key] —v.t. to continue as one is in expectation of; await: to wait one's turn at a telephone booth. to postpone or delay in expectation: Don't wait supper for me. (of things) to be in readiness for; be reserved for; await: Glory waits thee. to attend upon or escort, esp. as a sign of respect. to wait on Her Majesty at the palace. to perform the duties of an attendant or servant for. to supply the wants of a person, as serving a meal or serving a customer in a store. to call upon or visit (a person, esp. a superior):to wait on Her Majesty at the palace. Falconry.(of a hawk) to soar over ground until prey appears. Chiefly Midland and Southern U.S.to wait for (a person); await. Also,wait upon.to await (an event). See(def. 21). Wait up, I can't walk so fast. to postpone going to bed to await someone's arrival. Informal.to halt and wait for another to join one, as in running or walking:Wait up, I can't walk so fast. —n. an act or instance of waiting or awaiting; delay; halt: a wait at the border. a period or interval of waiting: There will be a long wait between trains. the time between two acts, scenes, or the like. Seestage wait. waits,(formerly) a band of musicians employed by a city or town to play music in parades, for official functions, etc. a street musician, esp. a singer. one of a band of carolers. a piece sung by carolers, esp. a Christmas carol. a watchman. to wait in ambush: The army lay in wait in the forest. Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease. See also: wait (Thesaurus) waistline wait-a-bit Related Content Daily Word Quiz: banshee Analogy of the Day: Today’s Analogy Spelling Bee: Today’s Spelling Bee Frequently Misspelled Words Frequently Mispronounced Words Easily Confused Words Writing & Language