postpone
Americanverb (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.
verb
-
to put off or delay until a future time
-
to put behind in order of importance; defer
Related Words
See defer 1.
Other Word Forms
- nonpostponable adjective
- postponable adjective
- postponement noun
- postponer noun
- repostpone verb (used with object)
- unpostponable adjective
- unpostponed adjective
- well-postponed adjective
Etymology
Origin of postpone
First recorded in 1490–1500; from Latin postpōnere “to put after, lay aside,” equivalent to post- post- + pōnere “to put”
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.
Basildon was one of the authorities to request its election be postponed.
From BBC
Murrell had been expected to appear at the High Court in Glasgow for the preliminary hearing on Friday, but it has been postponed to 25 May at the High Court in Edinburgh.
From BBC
Cabbies also want the government to postpone a requirement that all new taxis that enter the fleet from January 1 be electric.
From Barron's
Murrell had been expected to appear at the High Court in Glasgow for the hearing on Friday, but it has been postponed to 25 May at the High Court in Edinburgh.
From BBC
The mission marked its second attempt at flight after a 2025 effort was postponed due to weather and scientific conditions.
From Science Daily
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.
