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

Lionel Richie seems to be moving past the unspecified health issue that prompted him to postpone a pair of shows on his summer tour with Earth, Wind & Fire.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 7, 2026

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

She stared at the words and wished suddenly that she could turn back time and postpone this move back home.

From "Americanah" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

The deal, set to be signed Friday, also postpones rather than resolves the conflict’s central disputes.

From Barron's ● Jun. 15, 2026

Plus, Trump postpones AI order, and ‘The Sound of Music’ is the secret to U.S.-China diplomacy.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 22, 2026

The young adult rom-com follows Avery Blackwell, a rising college freshman who postpones her plans to attend Columbia after a note from her late mother sends her on a scavenger hunt in England.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 5, 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

Every week of idleness postpones our wedding day.'

From Niece Catherine by Mary Hampden

Her case was postponed to February 2027 to allow for the finalisation of her review challenging home affairs' decision to deport her.

From BBC ● Aug. 19, 2026

The company recently postponed the spinoff until next year, citing market conditions.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 17, 2026

Richie, 77, postponed a stop at Chicago’s United Center and another show at the Schottenstein Center in Columbus, Ohio, after he brought his first tour stop to an abrupt end.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 7, 2026

Like many young Cubans, she has postponed personal goals, including moving out of her parents' home, a dream she now considers beyond her reach.

From Barron's ● Aug. 4, 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

Castellucci is accused of postponing work on pier number 9 and faces 18 years in prison.

From Barron's ● Jul. 15, 2026

If either MP becomes prime minister they will have to decide whether to stick to the current plan or unpick it, further postponing its implementation.

From BBC ● Jun. 23, 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

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