Engineering English
Propagation Delay
Electronics Engineering · Last updated: July 30, 2026 · How this entry was written
Definition: Propagation delay is the time required for a signal to travel from the input of a logic gate or circuit to its output after a change occurs. It limits the maximum operating frequency of digital systems.
Example in context
“The propagation delay of each gate in the chain must be summed to verify that the clock period exceeds the total path delay.”
“Zincirdeki her bir kapının yayılma gecikmesi, saat periyodunun toplam yol gecikmesini aştığını doğrulamak için toplanmalıdır.”
Where engineers use it
Propagation delay is critical in synchronous circuits to ensure setup and hold times are met. Engineers analyze it during timing analysis to avoid race conditions and meet clock frequency targets.
Synonyms: gate delay, transition delay
Practice: can you use “Propagation Delay” at work?
You are given a chain of three inverters with specified propagation delays. Determine the minimum clock period needed to avoid timing violations.
Show a model answer
“Calculate the maximum clock frequency given the propagation delays in this path.”
“Propagation Delay” in 21 languages
| English | Propagation Delay |
|---|---|
| Turkish | yayılma gecikmesi |
| French | temps de propagation |
| German | Laufzeitverzögerung |
| Spanish | retardo de propagación |
| Chinese | 传播延迟 |
| Arabic | تأخير الانتشار |
| Portuguese | atraso de propagação |
| Russian | задержка распространения |
| Japanese | 伝搬遅延 |
| Italian | ritardo di propagazione |
| Vietnamese | trễ truyền |
| Hindi | प्रसार विलंब |
| Thai | หน่วงการแพร่กระจาย |
| Indonesian | penundaan propagasi |
| Korean | 전파 지연 |
| Bengali | প্রসারণ বিলম্ব |
| Dutch | propagatievertraging |
| Swedish | utbredningsfördröjning |
| Finnish | etenemisviive |
| Ukrainian | затримка поширення |
Frequently asked questions
What does Propagation Delay mean in engineering?
Propagation delay is the time required for a signal to travel from the input of a logic gate or circuit to its output after a change occurs. It limits the maximum operating frequency of digital systems. In Electronics Engineering, the term carries a usage-frequency rating of 10/10 in the Engineering English library.
How do you pronounce Propagation Delay?
Propagation Delay is pronounced /ˌprɒpəˈɡeɪʃən dɪˈleɪ/ (IPA). The Engineering English app plays audio for the term and checks your pronunciation with speech recognition.
How is Propagation Delay used in a sentence?
Example from an engineering context: “The propagation delay of each gate in the chain must be summed to verify that the clock period exceeds the total path delay.”
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