Definitions for Relayˈri leɪ; rɪˈleɪ

Random House Webster's College Dictionary

re-layriˈleɪ(v.t.)-laid, -lay•ing.

or re•lay 2 2

to lay again.

Origin of re-lay:

1580–90

re•layˈri leɪ; rɪˈleɪ(v. also; n.)

a series of persons relieving one another or taking turns; shift.
a fresh set of dogs or horses posted in readiness for use in a hunt, on a journey, etc.
a length or leg in a relay race.
Category: Sport
Ref: relay race.
an electrical device that responds to a change of current or voltage in one circuit by making or breaking a connection in another.
Category: Electricity and Magnetism, Machinery
Ref: servomechanism.
an act or instance of conveying or transmitting by relay.
(v.t.)to carry or convey by or as if by relays:
to relay a message.
to provide with or replace by fresh relays.
to retransmit (a signal, message, etc.) by or as if by means of an electrical relay.
Category: Electricity and Magnetism, Telegraphy and Telephony

Origin of relay:

1375–1425; (v.) late ME relaien to unleash fresh hounds in a hunt < MF relaier, OF: to leave behind, release=re-re - +laier to leave, dial. var. of laissier < L laxāre (see relax )

Princeton's WordNet

relay(noun)
the act of passing something along from one person or group to another
"the relay was successful"
relay(noun)
a crew of workers who relieve another crew
relay(noun)
a fresh team to relieve weary draft animals
relay, relay race(noun)
a race between teams; each member runs or swims part of the distance
relay, electrical relay(verb)
electrical device such that current flowing through it in one circuit can switch on and off a current in a second circuit
relay(verb)
pass along
"Please relay the news to the villagers"
relay(verb)
control or operate by relay

Wiktionary

relay(Noun)
An electrical actuator that allows a relatively small electrical voltage or current to control a larger voltage or current.
relay(Noun)
A track and field discipline where runners take turns in carrying a baton from start to finish. Most common events are 4x100 meter and 4x400 meter competitions.
relay(Verb)
To pass or transfer from one person to another, especially repeatedly through a series of persons.

Webster Dictionary

Relay(verb)
to lay again; to lay a second time; as, to relay a pavement
Relay(noun)
a supply of anything arranged beforehand for affording relief from time to time, or at successive stages; provision for successive relief
Relay(noun)
a supply of horses placced at stations to be in readiness to relieve others, so that a trveler may proceed without delay
Relay(noun)
a supply of hunting dogs or horses kept in readiness at certain places to relive the tired dogs or horses, and to continue the pursuit of the game if it comes that way
Relay(noun)
a number of men who relieve others in carrying on some work
Relay(noun)
in various forms of telegraphic apparatus, a magnet which receives the circuit current, and is caused by it to bring into into action the power of a local battery for performing the work of making the record; also, a similar device by which the current in one circuit is made to open or close another circuit in which a current is passing

The Standard Electrical Dictionary

Relay
A receiving instrument which moves in accordance with impulses of currents received, and in so moving opens and closes a local circuit, which circuit may include as powerful a battery as required or desirable, while the relay may be on the other hand so delicate as to work with a very weak current.