Embodiments of the invention provide electronic synapse devices for reinforcement learning. An electronic synapse is configured for interconnecting a pre-synaptic electronic neuron and a post-synaptic electronic neuron. The electronic synapse comprises memory elements configured for storing a state of the electronic synapse and storing meta information for updating the state of the electronic synapse. The electronic synapse further comprises an update module configured for updating the state of the electronic synapse based on the meta information in response to an update signal for reinforcement learning. The update module is configured for updating the state of the electronic synapse based on the meta information, in response to a delayed update signal for reinforcement learning based on a learning rule.