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

Specifically, 21% of the unretired respondents in the sample decided to postpone their retirements.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 27, 2026

In 2005, Hall & Oates had to postpone a series of shows after Hall was diagnosed with Lyme disease.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 25, 2026

And nobody felt sad as long as we could postpone tomorrow with more nostalgia.

From "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" by Stephen Chbosky

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

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

From Slate ● Nov. 20, 2024

Donald Glover, whose music alter ego is Childish Gambino, postpones the remaining dates on the North American leg of his tour to focus on his physical health.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 4, 2024

Luke slightly postpones its beginning and very greatly antedates its suppression.

From The Making of the New Testament by Benjamin Wisner Bacon

Meanwhile, planned maintenance and upgrades have to be postponed, leading to a maintenance backlog.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026

There were 14 events planned for the 2026 season but in April, LIV postponed June's New Orleans competition amid questions over its future and has not announced a rescheduled date.

From BBC ● Aug. 13, 2026

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

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 3, 2026

The hearings were postponed until October, with those charged "not required to attend court", according to a letter distributed outside by the Courts and Tribunals Service.

From Barron's ● Jul. 30, 2026

Severo had to pay for all the damage and ordered the dog tied up in the courtyard, but Clara had another fit and the decision was indefinitely postponed.

From "The House of the Spirits: A Novel" by Isabel Allende

Czech Railways have told passengers they should consider postponing their trips if they do not have to travel.

From BBC ● Jun. 25, 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

This month, city officials declined to sign off on even the scaled-back ban -- postponing the decision to June and throwing its planned July 1 implementation into question.

From Barron's ● May 19, 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

"Maybe," she said, holding up the envelope again, "they're postponing school? Maybe the first day isn't going to be next Tuesday? Ya think?"

From "The Lemonade War" by Jacqueline Davies

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