prolong

American  

[pruh-lawng, -long] / prəˈlɔŋ, -ˈlɒŋ /

verb (used with object)

1. to lengthen out in time; extend the duration of; cause to continue longer.

   to prolong one's stay abroad.

   Antonyms:

   abbreviate

2. to make longer in spatial extent.

   to prolong a line.

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prolong British  

/ prəˈlɒŋ, ˌprəʊlɒŋˈɡeɪʃən /

verb

1. (tr) to lengthen in duration or space; extend

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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

Neutral Switzerland denied suggestions it helped to finance the Nazis and prolonged their terror.

From The Wall Street Journal

From 2027 as part of the New Zoo Standards, they will be legally required to have a contingency plan to care for animals during prolonged income loss, major incidents, or permanent closure.

From BBC

More notable than the snowfall itself was the prolonged blast of extreme cold that followed, hardening snow into what has been informally dubbed "snowcrete" and making cleanup efforts especially difficult.

From Barron's

She said while the glue traps are not illegal in NI, it is an offence to cause "unnecessary suffering or prolonged distress".

From BBC

Departments ranging from defense, education and transportation to housing and financial regulation would be affected in a prolonged shutdown, while pressure would mount quickly to resolve disruptions rippling through the economy.

From Barron's

Related Words

• continue
• delay
• drag out
• lengthen
• perpetuate
• protract
• stall