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 BEA didn’t provide any information on when the postponed reports would appear.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The release of at least two Japanese movies will also be postponed in China, according to state media.

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Both reports were postponed by the 43-day government shutdown that lasted from Oct.

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Those estimates are expected to change as more reports that were postponed during the shutdown, which lasted from Oct.

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From the newspaper she learned that the opening of the traditional autumn hay maze had been postponed due to excessive rain.

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Related Words

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