relay
A race between teams where each member covers a portion of the distance. / An electrical switch that is operated by an electromagnet. / To receive and pass on information or a message. / To pass a baton or a task to the next person in a sequence.
Transitive VerbIntransitive Verb[C/U] Both
pl: relayspast: relayedpp: relayeding: relaying
The term evokes a sequence of hand-offs, creating a mental image of a chain where success depends on the seamless transition from one person or device to another. It suggests a shared burden or a collective effort where no single participant completes the entire journey alone.
Countable when referring to a specific race or a physical electronic component. Uncountable when referring to the general act of passing information.
Meanings
Examples
We ran a relay.