postpone

verb

post·pone | \(ˌ)pōs(t)-ˈpōn

postponed; postponing

Definition of postpone

transitive verb

1 : to put off to a later time : defer

2a : to place later (as in a sentence) than the normal position in English postpone an adjective

b : to place later in order of precedence, preference, or importance

Other Words from postpone Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about postpone

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Choose the Right Synonym for postpone

defer, postpone, suspend, stay mean to delay an action or proceeding. defer implies a deliberate putting off to a later time. deferred buying a car until spring postpone implies an intentional deferring usually to a definite time. the game is postponed until Saturday suspend implies temporary stoppage with an added suggestion of waiting until some condition is satisfied. business will be suspended while repairs are underway stay often suggests the stopping or checking by an intervening agency or authority. the governor stayed the execution

Examples of postpone in a Sentence

The baseball game was postponed until tomorrow because of rain. we'll have to postpone a decision until we have all the information

Recent Examples on the Web

The vote to postpone the Boca efforts drew a round of applause from residents. — Marci Shatzman, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Boca Raton wins delay on plan to remove trees near residents' homes," 11 July 2018 Blink 182 drummer Travis Barker is suffering from blood clots in his arms, leading the band to postpone its ongoing Las Vegas residency. — Isaac Feldberg, EW.com, "Blink 182's Travis Barker cannot perform due to blood clots in arms," 16 June 2018 After the Democratic caucus couldn’t agree on how to proceed Wednesday night, the council voted along party lines to postpone a decision. — Don Stacom, Courant Community, "New Britain Republicans, Democrats Exchange Criticism Over Budget Delay," 7 June 2018 The palace said the prince's visit would not be postponed. — Maria Puente, USA TODAY, "Prince William's trip to Israel, West Bank is history in the making: All the details," 24 May 2018 The Washington Post already reported that the Trump Administration immigration proposal could postpone the inevitability of a white minority and keep America great for at least five years longer than current projections. — Michael Harriot, The Root, "Trump Tweet about Immigrant 'Breeding' Invokes White Supremacist Rhetoric," 18 Apr. 2018 Commissioner Amy Chmielewski made a motion to postpone a vote until the next town meeting on May 7, which was approved 3-0. — David Anderson, The Aegis, "Standing room-only crowd for Bel Air food truck hearing," 17 Apr. 2018 As the confrontation threatened to degenerate, the delegation left and told the volunteers to postpone work for the time being. — Longreads, "Where Have You Hidden the Cholera?," 5 Apr. 2018 People quotes a source saying the couple wants to postpone the wedding. — Peggy Truong, Cosmopolitan, "A Definitive Timeline of Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth's Relationship," 6 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'postpone.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.