prolong

1 of 2

verb

pro·​long prə-ˈlȯŋ 

prolonged; prolonging; prolongs

transitive verb

1

: to lengthen in time : continue

2

: to lengthen in extent, scope, or range

prolongation

(ˌ)prō-ˌlȯŋ-ˈgā-shən  prə- 

noun

prolonger

prə-ˈlȯŋ-ər 

noun

prolongation

2 of 2

noun

pro·​lon·​ga·​tion (ˌ)prōˌlȯŋˈgāshən prəˌ- also -läy- 

plural -s

1

a

: an extension or lengthening in time or duration

the indefinite prolongation of the Korean truce talks

—Joseph & Stewart Alsop

b

: the continuation or protraction of a spoken syllable or sound

the principle of prolongation

—H. W. Smyth

2

: an expansion or continuation in extent, scope, or range

a northwesterly prolongation into the plain of Lancastria

—L. D. Stamp

a prolongation of ourselves

—Times Literary Supplement

water and plants … became a part and prolongation of the structures conceived by the architect

—José Gómez-Sicre

treats literature … as a prolongation (of the past) rather than as an original creation

—Wallace Fowlie

Synonyms of prolong

Verb

• lengthen
• extend
• increase

Choose the Right Synonym for prolong

extend, lengthen, prolong, protract mean to draw out or add to so as to increase in length.

extend and lengthen imply a drawing out in space or time but extend may also imply increase in width, scope, area, or range.

extend a vacation

extend welfare services

lengthen a skirt

lengthen the workweek

prolong suggests chiefly increase in duration especially beyond usual limits.

prolonged illness

protract adds to prolong implications of needlessness, vexation, or indefiniteness.

protracted litigation

Examples of prolong in a Sentence

Verb

Additives are used to prolong the shelf life of packaged food.

High interest rates were prolonging the recession.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

When prolonging the time around the table, a gin and tonic is typically the digestive drink of choice, although rum and coke would come in a close second. — Marti Buckley, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Aug. 2026

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says most people with a healthy immune system will eventually recover on their own, but the illness can be prolonged. — Maria Godoy, NPR, 3 Aug. 2026

Hinch directed questions about the timing of this move to the front office, but the Tigers clearly did not view any PPI possibilities as worth the cost of prolonging Clark’s ascension to the majors. — Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026

Saudi Arabia's leaders are trying to avoid further regional escalation that would risk miscalculation or prolonging of the war. — Margaret Brennan, CBS News, 30 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Middle French prolonguer, from Late Latin prolongare, from Latin pro- forward + longus long

Noun

Middle French, from Late Latin prolongation-, prolongatio, from prolongatus + Latin -ion-, -io -ion

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for prolong

• agung
• along
• belong
• birdsong
• furlong
• headlong
• headstrong
• lifelong
• plainsong
• sarong
• tanjong
• weeklong

Kids Definition

prolong

verb

pro·​long prə-ˈlȯŋ 

: to make longer in time

prolonged the visit