postpone

[ pohst-pohn, pohs- ]

verb (used with object)

, post·poned, post·pon·ing.

1. to put off to a later time; defer:

   He has postponed his departure until tomorrow.

2. to place after in order of importance or estimation; subordinate:

   to postpone private ambitions to the public welfare.

postpone

/ pəʊstˈpəʊn; pəˈspəʊn /

verb

1. to put off or delay until a future time
2. to put behind in order of importance; defer

Derived Forms

• postˈponement, noun
• postˈponer, noun
• postˈponable, adjective

Other Words From

• post·pon·a·ble adjective
• post·pone·ment noun
• post·pon·er noun
• non·post·pon·a·ble adjective
• re·post·pone verb (used with object) repostponed repostponing
• un·post·pon·a·ble adjective
• un·post·poned adjective
• well-post·poned adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of postpone¹

First recorded in 1490–1500; from Latin postpōnere “to put after, lay aside,” equivalent to post- post- + pōnere “to put”

Word History and Origins

Origin of postpone¹

C16: from Latin postpōnere to put after, neglect, from post- + ponere to place

Synonym Study

See defer ¹.

Example Sentences

On Saturday, the WHO and other UN agencies set out to administer vaccines in Gaza City, after being forced to postpone the rollout in the north of the territory last month because of Israeli bombardment, mass displacement and lack of access.

From BBC

An interview with F1 president Stefano Domenicali straight after qualifying, in which he was explaining the decision to postpone the session until Sunday, was interrupted by Lewis Hamilton, who said: “I want to go out. If you give us better wet tyres we’d be able to go out in this.”

From BBC

However, it faced calls to postpone the proposals - with the early finish on a Friday described as "yet another headache" for families by the union Unison.

From BBC

Israel’s decision not to hit Iran’s most valuable assets might, perhaps, give Tehran the chance to postpone a response, at least long enough for diplomats to do their work.

From BBC

Doctors ordered him not to sing for a week, forcing him to postpone several shows.

From BBC

Related Words

• adjourn
• defer
• delay
• hold up
• shelve
• suspend