What does rescheduling mean?
Rescheduling means moving something that was planned for one time to another, most often a later time. The word is especially common for meetings, flights, appointments, performances, product launches, and other organized events. As a verb, it takes a direct object: “They rescheduled the meeting.” As a noun, it usually appears with “the” or in phrases such as “the rescheduling of a service.” Rescheduling does not always imply delay; it simply indicates a change to the original arrangement, although a later date is the usual implication. The prefix “res-” adds the idea of doing something again, here meaning arranging an event anew rather than following its existing schedule. The word is neutral in tone and common in British and American English, ranging from casual conversation to news reports and formal organizational announcements.
To arrange for a planned event or activity to take place at a different time.
"The committee rescheduled the public meeting for the following week."
Often used when an appointment, journey, or organized event must move, usually to a later time.
The action or process of changing the planned time of an event or activity.
"The rescheduling of the tournament caused a delay to the final."
Common in formal reporting and institutional contexts; the plural “reschedulings” is possible but relatively uncommon.
Used when referring to multiple separate instances of changing scheduled arrangements; it is much less common than the uncountable use.
"The airline announced several reschedulings affecting flights to the region."
Rescheduling puts an event back on the calendar, but it does not necessarily mean putting it off.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does rescheduling come from?
“Rescheduling” was formed by adding the prefix “res-” to “schedule,” with the sense of arranging something again. “Schedule” entered English from French_schedule, ultimately from the Latin schedula, a diminutive of scheda meaning a sheet or scroll of papyrus. The modern use of “schedule” for a timetable developed from the practice of displaying activities on a written sheet or calendar. The prefixed form “reschedule” is a later English formation reflecting the need to revise an existing arrangement.
Related word forms
How rescheduling is actually used
Common in both formal and informal contexts. It can mean simply rearranging a scheduled event, although it often implies that the original plan was changed or delayed.