prolonged

[pruh-lawngd, -longd]

adjective

1. lasting a long time; lengthy.

   Regular or prolonged absence from school without a valid reason may result in the absentee being barred from examinations.

2. lengthened or extended in time or space.

   Technological innovations in the ICU have led to artificially prolonged life, with associated costs.

   Abnormally shortened or prolonged telomeres are a hallmark of cancer.

verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of prolong.

Other Word Forms

• unprolonged adjective
• well-prolonged adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of prolonged¹

prolong ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

But three years ago, a prolonged rain famine prompted the city to start enacting water restrictions, and the situation has kept getting worse.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Ideally, your Social Security and pension means you can limit withdrawals during a market correction or prolonged downturn.

Read more on MarketWatch

The union, whose vehement resistance to a salary cap could prompt a prolonged lockout after next season, views the Brewers as proof that MLB’s free-market financial model works.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

That has led to torrential rains over a short span of time, often after a prolonged dry spell – unlike in the past when monsoon showers were spread evenly over four months.

Read more on BBC

Recovery usually occurs within a week, though some individuals—particularly older adults or those with underlying conditions—may experience prolonged discomfort.

Read more on Science Daily