/kach"up'/ , n.
1. an effort to reach or pass a norm, esp. after a period of delay: After the slowdown there was a catch-up in production.
2. an effort to catch up with or surpass a competitor, as in a sports contest.
3. an instance of catching up.
4. play catch-up , Informal. to make a special effort to overcome a late start, a liability, or the advantage a competitor has: After Russia launched the first space satellite, other countries had to play catch-up.
adj.
5. intended to keep up with or surpass a norm or competitor: a catch-up pay raise to offset inflation.
[ 1835-45, Amer.; n., adj. use of v. phrase catch up ]