prolong
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to lengthen out in time; extend the duration of; cause to continue longer.
to prolong one's stay abroad.
- Antonyms:
- abbreviate
-
to make longer in spatial extent.
to prolong a line.
verb
Related Words
See lengthen.
Other Word Forms
- prolongable adjective
- prolongableness noun
- prolongably adverb
- prolongation noun
- prolonger noun
- prolongment noun
- unprolongable adjective
Etymology
Origin of prolong
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English prolongen, from Late Latin prōlongāre “to lengthen,” equivalent to prō- “forward, forth” + long(us) “long” + -ā- theme vowel + -re infinitive ending; pro- 1, long 1
Explanation
I don't want to prolong this definition, so I'll keep it short. To prolong is to make something last longer or to stretch it out in time. You see the word long in prolong and it's no trick. If you prolong an argument with a sibling, you make it longer than it naturally would be. Prolong always has to do with time. When you stretch your neck or a piece of cloth to make it appear longer, you are elongating, not prolonging, it.
Vocabulary lists containing prolong
Christmas Carol Vocab: A Lyrical Lexicon
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ACT Vocabulary List
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Words for Carolers
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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.
The OECD’s chief economist, Stefano Scarpetta, warned that damage to energy infrastructure from the Middle East conflict could prolong high energy prices.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026
The appellate panel stated in its ruling that requiring the Department of War to prolong its use of Anthropic AI directly or through contractors "strikes us as a substantial judicial imposition on military operations."
From Barron's • Apr. 9, 2026
There are players who have stood on the brink of one-clubmanship only to prolong their careers elsewhere - think Thomas Muller at Vancouver, Steven Gerrard in LA, John Terry in the Midlands.
From BBC • Apr. 6, 2026
There are less rules outside, fewer boundaries: coffee dates prolong, walks meander, thoughts digress.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 13, 2026
Still, I wrote “Palm nuts” in my book, to prolong the list.
From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver
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.
