wait

verb [I]

/weɪt/

Definition

A1 to allow time to go by, especially while staying in one place without doing very much, until someone comes, until something that you are expecting happens or until you can do something: I waited for her in the corridor, while she went in to see the doctor. The dentist kept me waiting for ages. [+ to infinitive] There were a lot of people waiting to use the phone.Staying and remainingWaitingWaitingStaying and remaining › to be done or to happen at a later time: The meeting will have to wait until tomorrow, because I'm too busy now. The paperwork can't wait until tomorrow (= is urgent and must be done now).Delaying and wasting time no waiting UK (US no standing) › used on signs to mean vehicles are not allowed to park, even for short periods of time: The sign by the side of the road said 'no waiting'.Lights, signs and markings on roads

(Definition of wait verb from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

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