postpone
Americanverb (used with object)
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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
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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.
Freezing weather meant Nasa had to postpone the first full dress rehearsal as it was too cold to fuel the SLS rocket.
From BBC • Mar. 30, 2026
The net effect is that 21% of the respondents in the sample decided to postpone their retirements.
From MarketWatch • Mar. 27, 2026
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the dates of Trump's visit, telling reporters that President Xi had understood and accepted the request to postpone the trip.
From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026
ET, he posted that the U.S. military would postpone strikes on Iranian power plants.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026
When he had finished the first hot dog, Ignatius prepared and consumed another, contemplating other kindnesses that might postpone his having to go to work again.
From "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole
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.
