prolong
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to lengthen out in time; extend the duration of; cause to continue longer.
to prolong one's stay abroad.
- Antonyms:
- abbreviate
-
to make longer in spatial extent.
to prolong a line.
verb
Related Words
See lengthen.
Other Word Forms
- prolongable adjective
- prolongableness noun
- prolongably adverb
- prolongation noun
- prolonger noun
- prolongment noun
- unprolongable adjective
Etymology
Origin of prolong
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English prolongen, from Late Latin prōlongāre “to lengthen,” equivalent to prō- “forward, forth” + long(us) “long” + -ā- theme vowel + -re infinitive ending; pro- 1, long 1
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.
From 2027 as part of the New Zoo Standards, they will be legally required to have a contingency plan to care for animals during prolonged income loss, major incidents, or permanent closure.
From BBC
More notable than the snowfall itself was the prolonged blast of extreme cold that followed, hardening snow into what has been informally dubbed "snowcrete" and making cleanup efforts especially difficult.
From Barron's
She said while the glue traps are not illegal in NI, it is an offence to cause "unnecessary suffering or prolonged distress".
From BBC
Departments ranging from defense, education and transportation to housing and financial regulation would be affected in a prolonged shutdown, while pressure would mount quickly to resolve disruptions rippling through the economy.
From Barron's
The remaining bills fund large swaths of the federal government, making the lapse significant if it ends up being prolonged.
From Barron's
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.
