Definition of "lagging" []

• Insulation used to prevent heat diffusion, as from a steam pipe. (noun)
• A wooden frame built especially to support the sides of an arch until the keystone is positioned. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "Beware, the jobs market is what we call a lagging indicator."
• "So what this is telling us is that the labor market is continuing to deteriorate and, remember, this is what we call a lagging indicator."
• "What she wants to do is try to push forward what she describes as a lagging effort to deal with millions and millions of very vulnerable people."