postpone
Americanverb (used with object)
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to put off to a later time; defer.
He has postponed his departure until tomorrow.
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to place after in order of importance or estimation; subordinate.
to postpone private ambitions to the public welfare.
verb
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to put off or delay until a future time
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to put behind in order of importance; defer
Synonym Usage
See defer 1.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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postponementnoun
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postponernoun
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repostponeverb (used with object)
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nonpostponableadjective
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postponableadjective
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unpostponableadjective
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unpostponedadjective
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well-postponedadjective
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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postponesimple
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postponessimple
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have postponedperfect
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has postponedperfect
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am postponingprogressive
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are postponingprogressive
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is postponingprogressive
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have been postponingperfect progressive
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has been postponingperfect progressive
Past
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postponedsimple
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had postponedperfect
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was postponingprogressive
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were postponingprogressive
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had been postponingperfect progressive
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!"
Vocabulary lists containing postpone
Anti-Antonyms: Words Without Opposites
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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:
Specifically, 21% of the unretired respondents in the sample decided to postpone their retirements.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 27, 2026
"That is why we have advised all passengers who can to postpone their journeys, particularly vulnerable people, and for everyone who is able to work from home to do so."
From Barron's ● Jun. 22, 2026
The museum said the decision to postpone was taken to "protect" the event and it remains "committed to providing a space where history, culture and scholarship can be explored openly, respectfully and without disruption".
From BBC ● May 28, 2026
In a 9-6 vote, the council voted initial approval of an ordinance to postpone implementation of the $30 hourly minimum til 2030, instead of 2028.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 13, 2026
To be honest, I wanted to postpone as long as I could my disappointment if the man to whom I owed so much didn't remember me.
From "The Boy on the Wooden Box" by Leon Leyson
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
Lionel Richie postpones two shows on his tour with Earth, Wind & Fire amid an unspecified health issue.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 6, 2026
The plan also postpones more complex negotiations over its nuclear programme, a major sticking point for Trump.
From Barron's ● Apr. 28, 2026
It postpones certain tax-filing deadlines for Americans and their spouses who are wrongfully detained or held hostage abroad.
From Slate ● Nov. 20, 2024
The borrower, at any rate, feels that it would not, and postpones the moment till the fitting solemnities can be produced.
From An Old Man's Love by Trollope, Anthony
Oil futures posted sharp losses as the U.S. postponed planned major attacks on Iran to see if talks can be resumed.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026
But those actions are largely postponed until next year, in hopes that rising state revenues will limit the damage.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 21, 2026
They have also demanded that the issue of "Afrophobia" be discussed at the next African Union summit, while Ghana has postponed a planned visit by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
From Barron's ● Jul. 21, 2026
CEO Elon Musk then confirmed the mission had been postponed, following an announcement during a livestream of the event that it had been cut short.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 17, 2026
He showed such a convincing decision that the plan was postponed for an indefinite date.
From "One Hundred Years of Solitude" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
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
US President Donald Trump said he was postponing a planned attack on Iran scheduled for Tuesday at the request of Gulf leaders amid "serious negotiations" with Tehran.
From Barron's ● May 18, 2026
The budget gym operator added fewer members in the March quarter than it did a year earlier, and now it’s postponing plans to charge more for some memberships.
From MarketWatch ● May 8, 2026
“I don’t think any of us are in shape to leave on vacation right now. Or to enjoy it. We’re postponing the trip.”
From "The School for Whatnots" by Margaret Peterson Haddix
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.
