postpone
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to put off to a later time; defer.
He has postponed his departure until tomorrow.
-
to place after in order of importance or estimation; subordinate.
to postpone private ambitions to the public welfare.
verb
-
to put off or delay until a future time
-
to put behind in order of importance; defer
Synonym Usage
See defer 1.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
-
postponementnoun
-
postponernoun
-
nonpostponableadjective
-
postponableadjective
-
unpostponableadjective
-
unpostponedadjective
-
well-postponedadjective
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
postponesimple
-
postponessimple
-
have postponedperfect
-
has postponedperfect
-
am postponingprogressive
-
are postponingprogressive
-
is postponingprogressive
-
have been postponingperfect progressive
-
has been postponingperfect progressive
Past
-
postponedsimple
-
had postponedperfect
-
was postponingprogressive
-
were postponingprogressive
-
had been postponingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of postpone
First recorded in 1490–1500; from Latin postpōnere “to put after, lay aside,” equivalent to post- post- + pōnere “to put”
Explanation
To postpone something is to put it off until later. You can postpone an appointment today and reschedule it for tomorrow. Anything you're putting for is being postponed: people postpone things they don't have time to do or just don't want to do. Since doctor and dental appointments are no fun, people postpone them a lot. You can postpone small things, like going to the store or watching a video. The government can postpone big things, like the passing of bills or the invasion of another country. People who procrastinate are constantly postponing. When you see the word postpone, think "Later!"
Vocabulary lists containing postpone
Anti-Antonyms: Words Without Opposites
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Bridge to Terabithia
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Smile
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"That is why we have advised all passengers who can to postpone their journeys, particularly vulnerable people, and for everyone who is able to work from home to do so."
From Barron's • Jun. 22, 2026
Self-employed people might postpone year-end invoicing to the following year.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 15, 2026
Echo & the Bunnymen had to postpone a show after singer Ian McCulloch was injured in a crash.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 8, 2026
The museum said the decision to postpone was taken to "protect" the event and it remains "committed to providing a space where history, culture and scholarship can be explored openly, respectfully and without disruption".
From BBC • May 28, 2026
“It’s a blessing, and we must postpone a day or two. And then we have to move.”
From "Facing the Lion" by Joseph Lemasolai Lekuton and Herman Viola
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
