postpone

[pohst-pohn, pohs-]

verb (used with object)

postponed, postponing 

1. to put off to a later time; defer.

   He has postponed his departure until tomorrow.

2. to place after in order of importance or estimation; subordinate.

   to postpone private ambitions to the public welfare.

postpone

/ pəʊstˈpəʊn, pəˈspəʊn /

verb

1. to put off or delay until a future time

2. to put behind in order of importance; defer

Other Word Forms

• postponable adjective
• postponement noun
• postponer noun
• nonpostponable adjective
• repostpone verb (used with object)
• unpostponable adjective
• unpostponed adjective
• well-postponed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of postpone¹

First recorded in 1490–1500; from Latin postpōnere “to put after, lay aside,” equivalent to post- post- + pōnere “to put”

Word History and Origins

Origin of postpone¹

C16: from Latin postpōnere to put after, neglect, from _post- + ponere to place

Synonym Study

See defer ¹.

Example Sentences

The second postponed jobs report in a row has made it hard for investors and senior Federal Reserve officials to figure out if the economy is getting better or worse.

Read more on MarketWatch

The death toll during the four years they spent postponing the inevitable included at least 20,175 American soldiers.

Read more on Salon

Embalo ultimately postponed the election date until November this year, eliciting accusations of clinging to power beyond the end of his mandate.

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The group's military wing meanwhile said it would postpone the return of a hostage's body it had recovered on Tuesday due to what it called Israeli "violations".

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U.S. and China officials pointed to momentum toward a trade deal that would mean the U.S. drops its additional 100% tariff threat while the Chinese postpone export controls on rare earths.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• adjourn 
• defer 
• delay 
• hold up 
• shelve 
• suspend