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Synonyms

postpone

American

[pohst-pohn, pohs-] / poʊstˈpoʊn, poʊs- /

verb (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.

postpone British

/ pəʊstˈpəʊn, pəˈspəʊn /

verb

to put off or delay until a future time
to put behind in order of importance; defer

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Synonym Usage

See defer ¹.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Inflected Forms

Participles

Conjugated Forms

Present

Past

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!"

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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.

See Examples For:

postpone postpones postponed postponing

The scientists found that "superheating," which occurs when magma becomes hotter than the temperature at which crystals remain stable, can postpone crystal formation as the magma moves toward the surface.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 1, 2026

On July 24, Paramount’s legal team agreed to postpone the merger pending the outcome of the states’ antitrust case.

From Salon ● Aug. 1, 2026

Last Thursday, it was forced to postpone the latest test of the Starship rocket after some engines failed to start, according to CEO Elon Musk.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 20, 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

I helped Dean lay the table to postpone going home.

From "Black Swan Green" by David Mitchell

The legal holdup also postpones the promised cost savings and strategic moves that formed much of the financial rationale for the deal.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 27, 2026

The plan also postpones more complex negotiations over its nuclear programme, a major sticking point for Trump.

From Barron's ● Apr. 28, 2026

With ex-husband Brandon Blackstock ill, Clarkson postpones the balance of her August residency dates in Las Vegas so she can be ‘fully present’ for her kids.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 7, 2025

It postpones certain tax-filing deadlines for Americans and their spouses who are wrongfully detained or held hostage abroad.

From Slate ● Nov. 20, 2024

His French biographer states Giulio's birth to have occurred in 1548, though he postpones this quarrel until 1609, in which year the Procaccini established themselves at Milan.

From The History of Painting in Italy, Vol. IV (of 6) from the Period of the Revival of the Fine Arts to the End of the Eighteenth Century by Luigi Antonio Lanzi

The contest was postponed from Sunday after heavy rain halted the WTA final between Jessica Pegula and Alexandra Eala.

From Barron's ● Aug. 3, 2026

The committee postponed its vote on Blanche’s nomination last week over their concerns.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 3, 2026

The other postponed buying a mobile phone until he became a doctor.

From BBC ● Aug. 2, 2026

Looking to avoid an embarrassing L, the committee postponed the Blanche vote, which had been scheduled for Thursday.

From Slate ● Jul. 30, 2026

At that time Aureliano Segundo postponed any appointments in order to be with Meme, to take her to the movies or the circus, and he spent the greater part of his idle time with her.

From "One Hundred Years of Solitude" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Some demographers see these women as simply postponing pregnancy.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 6, 2026

But only hours before the scheduled ceremony, he announced he was postponing the executive order because he did not want to take away America’s competitive advantage over China and other countries.

From Salon ● May 24, 2026

"Millions of young people who work hard and do the right thing cannot see path to home ownership or security," he said, adding this means many are "postponing adulthood".

From BBC ● May 20, 2026

The budget gym operator added fewer members in the March quarter than it did a year earlier, and now it’s postponing plans to charge more for some memberships.

From MarketWatch ● May 8, 2026

“I know what you mean,” Archie said, postponing the showdown.

From "The Chocolate War" by Robert Cormier

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023