Definition of wait

What does the word wait mean?

• part of speech: verb intransitive

  Abstain from action or departure till some expected event occurs, pause, tarry, stay, kick one\'s heels, be expectant or on the watch, (often for, till; w. a minute; shall not w. here any longer; kept me waiting or made me w.; have a month to w. yet; w. till I come, for high water or a fine day; everything comes to those who w.; always has to be waited for, is unpunctual); await, bide, (is waiting his opportunity; you must w. my convenience; am only waiting the signal); act as waiter, as servant shifting plates &c. at table, (are you accustomed to waiting?; often at table), or as attendant (LORD, GROOM, in waiting); defer (meal) till some one arrives (don\'t w. dinner for me); w. (up)on, watch (archaic), await convenience of, serve as attendant esp. at table, pay visit to (person regarded as superior), escort (archaic), (in race) purposely keep close behind (competitor), follow as result; waiting-room, provided for persons to w. in esp. at railway-station or house of consultant. [old French]

• part of speech: noun

  1. (Pl.) band (s) of persons singing carols &c. from house to house at Christmas. 2. Act or time of waiting (had a long w. for the train); watching for enemy, ambush, (lie in or lay w. usu. for). [old French]