adj
lagging
adj
1
Falling behind; failing to keep up with the expected pace.
"The lagging economy worried investors."
"She noticed a lagging runner near the back of the pack."
noun
1
Insulating material, often strips of felt or fibre, wrapped around pipes or tanks to reduce heat loss.
"The plumber wrapped fresh lagging around the hot water pipes."
"Old lagging on the boiler had worn thin and needed replacing."
How to Use Lagging
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither "falling behind" (as an adjective) or pipe insulation (as a noun) — two unrelated senses of the same spelling.
Common pairings
pipe lagging
lagging indicator
Word Forms
more lagging comparative, laggings plural, most lagging superlative
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The _____ economy worried investors.
Etymology
From "lag" plus the "-ing" ending.