Meaning & use
relays
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“relays” is a form of “relay”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
nounpluralsport
Team races in which each runner or swimmer covers part of the distance before passing on to a teammate.
Grammar: Plural countable noun: the relays start at noon.
Patterns
- swim in the relays
- run in the relays
Both relays take place on the last day of the meet.
She swims in the relays for her school.
The 4x100 and 4x400 relays are the most exciting events.
nounpluraltechnical
Electrical switches that use a small current to turn a larger circuit on or off.
Grammar: Countable noun in technical contexts: the car has several relays under the dashboard.
Patterns
- relays in something
The engineer replaced two faulty relays in the fuse box.
Old telephone exchanges used thousands of relays.
Relays let a tiny switch control a powerful motor.
verbtransitive
Third person singular of relay: to pass on a message, signal or information to someone else.
Grammar: Takes an object: she relays the message.
Patterns
- relay something to someone
She relays the orders to the kitchen staff.
The tower relays signals to the satellite.
He relays the latest news to the team every morning.
Common combinations
- swimming relays
- The swimming relays begin after lunch.
- relays a message
- The assistant relays a message to the manager.
- faulty relays
- Faulty relays were blamed for the power cut.
- signal relays
- Signal relays boost the radio range.
- relays information
- The app relays information about delays.
Synonyms and how they differ
- passes on
- Passes on is more casual and general, while relays suggests sending along a message in a chain.
- transmits
- Transmits is more technical and used for signals and broadcasts.
- switches
- Switches is a general electrical word, while relays specifically work remotely with a small current.
- conveys
- Conveys is formal and can include feelings or ideas, whereas relays is about messages or signals.
Word family
Commonly confused: relays or delays?
relays vs delays
Delays are things that make something late. Relays are team races or electrical switches.
Practice
In a car, small electrical ___ switch heavy-current circuits like the headlights.
Choose one answer.
Relays are switches that control bigger circuits. Delays and displays do not describe such switches.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “relays”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.