Relay
/ˈriːleɪ/
Definitions
5 meaningsA race in which members of a team take turns performing parts of a journey.
/ˈriːleɪ/
A race in which several team members run or swim consecutive legs of a set distance.
The school's relay team won first place in the regional competition.
💡 Simply: Imagine a team race where each person runs part of the distance. The first runner hands a stick (baton) to the next, and so on. That kind of race is called a relay!
👶 For kids: It's like a running race where you have a team, and each person runs a part of the race.
More Examples
She was chosen to be the anchor leg in the relay.
The swimming relay requires great teamwork.
How It's Used
"The team won the 4x100 meter relay."
A device that uses a small current to control a larger one, often used as a switch.
/ˈriːleɪ/
A device that automatically controls a switch, often electrical.
The engineer replaced the faulty relay in the circuit board.
💡 Simply: Imagine a tiny switch that can control something much bigger, like turning on a lightbulb. It's like a helper switch that doesn't need much power itself but can control something powerful! We call it a relay.
👶 For kids: A little switch that can turn on something bigger, like a light!
More Examples
The relay is crucial for controlling the power supply.
The device is designed to use a relay to protect against power surges.
How It's Used
"The electrical relay activated the alarm system."
"The relay ensures safe operation of the machinery."
A person or device that receives and transmits a signal or piece of information.
/ˈriːleɪ/
A person or group that receives and passes on something (e.g., a message, information).
The diplomatic envoy acted as a relay between the two countries.
💡 Simply: Imagine someone passing a secret message to another person, who then passes it along. This person, who is just in the middle of the message, is relaying it.
👶 For kids: Someone who shares a message with another person.
More Examples
The email server functions as a relay, forwarding messages to their destinations.
The runner in the relay was the last to bring the message.
The news agency served as a relay for information during the conflict.
How It's Used
"The local radio station served as a relay for emergency broadcasts."
"A satellite can act as a relay for internet signals."
To receive and pass on something.
/riːˈleɪ/
To receive and pass on information or a message.
The news agency relayed the breaking story.
💡 Simply: To 'relay' is like being the person who tells someone else what they just heard. For example, imagine you hear a funny story, and then you immediately go and tell it to your friend - you relayed the story!
👶 For kids: To tell someone else something that you heard or read.
More Examples
He was asked to relay the instructions to the team.
The satellite relayed the images back to Earth.
How It's Used
"The news channel relayed the latest updates from the war zone."
"The reporter relayed the eyewitness account."
To supply fresh resources
/riːˈleɪ/
To provide a new supply of something
The troops were tired and needed to relay their team.
💡 Simply: To 'relay' something means providing it, such as supplying resources to soldiers.
👶 For kids: To give something to someone else.
More Examples
The workers helped to relay all the equipment.
The troops needed to relay their support to the army.
How It's Used
"The troops needed to relay their supply chain after the attack."
"It's important to relay equipment so the soldiers can get what they need."
Synonyms
Competition
Event
Race
Intermediary
Messenger
Communicate
Furnish
Idioms & expressions
relay race
A race where team members take turns completing parts of the distance.
"The school hosted an exciting relay race during their sports day."
From Old French *relaiier* 'to leave behind, relieve, replace', from *re-* 'again' + *laiier* 'to leave'. Originally referring to a fresh set of horses or dogs used to replace tired ones on a journey, the meaning evolved to include the passing of a message or responsibility.
The word's original meaning, referring to changing horses or dogs on a journey, dates back to the 16th century. The concept of passing information or responsibility developed later.
Memory tip
Think of runners passing a baton to continue the race.