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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

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

The band added that “after careful consideration,” it had decided to postpone its Philadelphia show that night.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 8, 2026

I’m thinking maybe Sandy will feel sorry for me and postpone our big meeting until after winter break, which starts tomorrow, when he mouths at me My office, and gestures toward the door.

From "I'll Give You the Sun" by Jandy Nelson

The legal holdup also postpones the promised cost savings and strategic moves that formed much of the financial rationale for the deal.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 27, 2026

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

From Barron's ● Jun. 15, 2026

Billy Joel postpones his tour to take a four-month break to focus on his health and recovery from an undisclosed ‘medical condition.’

From Los Angeles Times ● May 23, 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

Sylvia saw him as one sees a picture on first entering a gallery, which one postpones visiting with a scarcely conscious and yet perfectly deliberate anticipation of pleasure later on.

From The Early Life and Adventures of Sylvia Scarlett by MacKenzie, Compton

"Neither have we sent a letter nor given verbal instructions to stop it. They postponed it on their own."

From Barron's ● Aug. 8, 2026

Looking to avoid an embarrassing L, the committee postponed the Blanche vote, which had been scheduled for Thursday.

From Slate ● Jul. 30, 2026

At Westminster Magistrates' Court, chief magistrate Paul Goldspring postponed proceedings over concerns about the defendant's mental health.

From BBC ● Jul. 29, 2026

The Dana Point Marina Inn was set to be demolished and replaced by two new hotels on the harbor, though the vote to approve the leases has been postponed to next month.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 25, 2026

Even the Trial stadiums have postponed the Trials scheduled for the day the storm will arrive.

From "Legend" by Marie Lu

Some demographers see these women as simply postponing pregnancy.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 6, 2026

Critics say it’s just postponing coal’s inevitable demise.

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 4, 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

"Millions of young people who work hard and do the right thing cannot see path to home ownership or security," he said, adding this means many are "postponing adulthood".

From BBC ● May 20, 2026

Convinced that Chicago was too hot in July and August, people were postponing their visits until the fall.

From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023