verb
prolong
proh-LONG
verb
1
To make something last longer than it otherwise would.
"The doctors managed to prolong his life by several years with the new treatment."
"Please don't prolong the meeting — everyone wants to go home."
2
To put something off until a later time; to delay.
"They kept prolonging the decision, hoping the problem would solve itself."
How to Use Prolong
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo make something take longer or last longer.
Common pairings
prolong the agony
prolong a life
prolong the process
Word Forms
prolonged past tense, prolongs singular
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The doctors managed to _____ his life by several years with the new treatment.
Etymology
From Old French prolonguer, from Latin prōlongāre — pro- ("forward") plus longus ("long"). A doublet of purloin.