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
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.
A study published in Ecological and Evolutionary Physiology found that prolonged heat waves can disrupt hive temperature control and lead to noticeable declines in colony populations.
From Science Daily
The findings may help explain labor problems marked by weak or irregular contractions that prolong delivery.
From Science Daily
Intense competition in China has sparked a prolonged price war as rivals cut prices to win customers while local consumers have moved to tech-heavy domestic models.
A blip in stocks and bonds could easily give way to a prolonged market decline.
From Barron's
In Gaza, the report finds that prolonged conflict has brought children's access to education close to total collapse, threatening not only learning but a core part of their identity.
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.
