de·lin·quen·cy 
/dɪˈlɪŋkwənsi/ noun
plural de·lin·quen·cies /dɪˈlɪŋkwənsi/ noun 1 : crimes or other morally wrong acts : illegal or immoral behavior especially by young people [noncount] ▪ They tried to steer him away from delinquency by giving him a job in their store. ▪ She's been charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor. [count] ▪ a series of minor delinquencies — see also juvenile delinquency 2 US : the condition of someone who owes money and is not making payments at the required or expected time [count] ▪ Loan delinquencies are on the rise. [=an increasing number of people are failing to make their loan payments on time] [noncount] ▪ a high rate of delinquency ▪ Delinquency rates are soaring.
