# lagging

/ˈɫæɡɪŋ/ (US) · /lˈæɡɪŋ/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/lagging
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

the delay or slow response you experience when using a computer or playing a game online. It happens when your internet connection or hardware cannot keep up with the action.

For teachers: the delay between a user's action and the resulting response from a computer system or network. Often used in the context of online gaming or video conferencing to describe latency issues.

## Examples

- I lost the game because of the constant lagging.
- The video call was difficult to follow because the lagging made the audio and video go out of sync.
- Severe lagging during the live broadcast forced the engineers to lower the stream resolution to maintain a stable connection for the viewers.

## Usage notes

- Commonly used as a gerund to describe the state of a system's performance.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.