retarding

1. 1
   verb

   Present participle and gerund of retard.

   The new coating works by retarding the spread of fire across the wood.

   High interest rates are retarding growth in the housing market.

   Note

   The -ing form usually takes an object, the thing being held back: retarding growth, retarding the spread of fire. Because the noun retard is an offensive word for a person, the verb can jar in everyday talk, and slowing, delaying or holding back usually says the same thing without that risk.

2. 2
   noununcountable

   An act of slowing something down, or a hindrance to its progress.

   Engineers measured the retarding of the vehicle as the brakes engaged.

   Any retarding of the construction schedule would push the opening into next year.

   Similarslowing, deceleration, delay, slowdown

   Oppositeacceleration

Showing meanings only. Show all 2