What does postponement mean?
A postponement is a delay in carrying out a planned event, action, decision, or arrangement. The term is especially common in official and organizational contexts, such as the postponement of a hearing, match, performance, journey, or announcement, although it can describe any postponement of a planned activity. It often suggests that something has been moved to a later date rather than abandoned altogether. In legal and administrative writing, postponement may imply a formal extension or adjournment, sometimes with consequences such as additional expense or inconvenience. The word is more formal than “putting something off” and more specific than the broad term “delay.” Because it focuses on the event being rescheduled or deferred, a postponement can be temporary, indefinite, or the result of circumstances outside the organizers’ control.
nounThe act of postponing something, especially an event, decision, or action, to a later time. It can also refer to the resulting delay.
- The act of delaying an event, action, decision, or arrangement until a later time.
- A delay or postponement imposed on a planned activity or proceeding.
"The organizers announced the postponement of the festival until next summer."
"The postponement of the hearing gave the parties more time to prepare their evidence."
"Weather conditions led to the postponement of outdoor events across the region."
The plural is used when referring to multiple delays or rescheduled events.
"Repeated postponements caused the project to exceed its budget."
Postponement comes from the Latin postponere: literally, to place something after, a fitting description of moving an event to a later date.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does postponement come from?
The word comes through French from the Latin postponere, formed from post-, meaning “after,” and ponere, meaning “to place” or “to put.” The underlying idea was to place something after a previously intended time. The noun postponement developed from the same Latin source and became common in English for the act of delaying an event or arrangement.
Related word forms
How postponement is actually used
The word is formal but widely understood. It can describe a deliberate administrative delay as well as a practical postponement caused by circumstances such as weather or insufficient arrangements.
Easily confused with postponement
Postpone is the verb used to delay an action or event, whereas postponement is the noun naming that delay.