- to remain inactive or in a state of repose, as until something expected happens (often followed by for, till, or until): to wait for the bus to arrive.
- (of things) to be available or in readiness: A letter is waiting for you.
- to remain neglected for a time: a matter that can wait.
- to postpone or delay something or to be postponed or delayed: We waited a week and then bought the house. Your vacation will have to wait until next month.
- to look forward to eagerly: I'm just waiting for the day somebody knocks him down.
- to continue in expectation of; await: I sat nervously on the bench, waiting my turn to audition.
- to postpone or delay in expectation: Don't wait supper for me.
- (of things) to be in readiness for; be reserved for; await: Glory waits thee.
- to attend upon or escort, especially as a sign of respect.
- an act or instance of waiting or awaiting; delay; halt: a wait at the border.
- a period or interval of waiting: There will be a long wait between trains.
- Theater.
- the time between two acts, scenes, or the like.
- stage wait.
- British.
- (formerly) a band of musicians employed by a city or town to play music in parades, for official functions, etc.
- a street musician, especially a singer.
- one of a band of carolers.
- a piece sung by carolers, especially a Christmas carol.
- a watchman.
- wait on,
- to perform the duties of an attendant or servant for.
- to supply the wants of a person, as serving a meal or serving a customer in a store.
- to call upon or visit (a person, especially a superior): to wait on Her Majesty at the palace.
- (of a hawk) to soar over ground until prey appears.
- to wait for (a person); await.
- to await (an event).
- wait up,
- to postpone going to bed to await someone's arrival.
- to halt and wait for another to join one, as in running or walking: Wait up, I can't walk so fast.
- to wait in ambush: The army lay in wait in the forest.
- table (def. 26).
- to stay in one place or remain inactive in expectation (of something); hold oneself in readiness (for something)
- to delay temporarily or be temporarily delayed
- (of things) to be in store (for a person)
- to act as a waiter or waitress
- the act or an instance of waiting
- a period of waiting
- a band of musicians who go around the streets, esp at Christmas, singing and playing carols
- an interlude or interval between two acts or scenes in a play, etc
- to prepare an ambush (for someone)
