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relay meaning and examples

2025-09-07

Meaning

Relay has two main usages:

  1. As a noun:

    • A group of people or animals taking turns to continue a task (e.g., a relay race).
    • An electrical device that receives and transmits signals.
  2. As a verb:

    • To pass something from one person to another.
    • To broadcast or transmit (e.g., information, message, or signal).

Grammar and Usage

  • Noun:

    • a relay race = a race where team members take turns running.
    • an electrical relay = a device that opens or closes circuits.
  • Verb:

    • relay something to someone = pass on information or a message.
    • relay a signal/message = transmit or broadcast.

Patterns:

  • relay + information/message + to + person
  • be relayed by/from (passive usage)

Common Phrases

  • Relay race
  • Satellite relay
  • Relay station
  • Relay message

Collocations

  • Verb + relay: transmit relay, broadcast relay, relay information
  • Noun + relay: torch relay, news relay, relay system
  • Adjective + relay: live relay, wireless relay, electrical relay

Examples

  1. The athletes prepared for the relay race at the Olympics.
  2. Please relay the message to your manager.
  3. The news was relayed by satellite to millions of viewers.
  4. The rescue team worked in relays to dig through the rubble.
  5. The engineer checked the relay switch in the circuit.
  6. I will relay your concerns to the director.
  7. The torch relay before the games attracted many spectators.
  8. The radio tower relayed the signal to nearby towns.
  • Transmit
  • Convey
  • Forward
  • Pass on
  • Broadcast

Antonym

  • Withhold
  • Block
  • Retain