A charge required as compensation for the delay of a ship or freight car or other cargo beyond its scheduled time of departure

• Detention of a ship or freight car or other cargo beyond its scheduled time of departure
• Detention in port

Wikipedia Word definitions in Wikipedia
The term " demurrage " from Old French demeurage , from demeurer - to linger, tarry - originated in vessel chartering and referred to the period when the charterer remained in possession of the vessel after the period normally allowed to load and unload ...

The Collaborative International Dictionary Word definitions in The Collaborative International Dictionary
Demurrage \De*mur"rage\, n. [Cf. OF. demorage delay. See Demur .] (Law) The detention of a vessel by the freighter beyond the time allowed in her charter party for loading, unloading, or sailing. The allowance made to the master or owner of the ship for ...

Wiktionary Word definitions in Wiktionary
n. 1 (context nautical English) the detention of a ship or other freight vehicle, during delayed loading or unloading 2 compensation paid for such detention 3 a charge made for exchanging currency for bullion

Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary Word definitions in Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
1640s, from Old French demorage , from demorer (see demur ).

WordNet Word definitions in WordNet
n. a charge required as compensation for the delay of a ship or freight car or other cargo beyond its scheduled time of departure detention of a ship or freight car or other cargo beyond its scheduled time of departure