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

prolonger

2 of 2

noun

pro·​long·​er prəˈlȯŋə(r) 

prōˈ-

plural -s

: one that prolongs

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

El Niño is expected to prolong an existing unrelated marine heat wave that would otherwise typically start fading between October and December, scientists say. — Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026

Make sure to deadhead spent blooms in order to prolong their flowering, and cut them back in late fall or early spring. — Helena Madden, Martha Stewart, 3 July 2026

Federal health officials are attempting to track down the source of a microscopic parasite that triggers prolonged gastrointestinal illness, as domestic cases begin to climb for the summer season. — Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026

Researchers believe there's incredible potential in this approach to treating chronic infections, autoimmune disease and cancer, while also providing a novel therapy to prolong our health in older age. — New Atlas, 2 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

Noun

prolong + -er

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