WordWeb Online

1. A decrease in rate of change
   "the retardation of the arms race"
   - deceleration, slowing
    
2. The extent to which something is delayed or held back
    
3. Any agent that retards or delays or hinders
   "flame-retardation"
   - retardant, retardent, retarder
    
4. Lack of normal development of intellectual capacities
   - mental retardation, backwardness, slowness, subnormality
    
5. The act of slowing down or falling behind
   - slowdown, lag

Derived forms: retardations

See also: retard

Type of: agent, alteration, change, delay, hold, holdup, modification, postponement, stupidity, time lag, wait

Encyclopedia: Retardation