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Postponement: meaning, definitions and examples

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postponement

 

[pəʊstˈpəʊnmənt ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

legal term

The action of postponing something; the state of being postponed.

Synonyms

deferment, delay, rescheduling.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
postponement

Use this word when an event or action is moved to a later time or date. It is often used in formal settings.

  • The conference has faced another postponement due to unforeseen circumstances
  • The organizers announced the postponement of the meeting
delay

This word is used when there is a holdup or waiting period before something happens. It often implies an unplanned or unwanted situation.

  • The flight was delayed due to bad weather
  • There was a delay in the shipment of the goods
deferment

This word is typically used in formal or legal contexts, often relating to the postponement of obligations, duties, or payments.

  • He requested a deferment on his student loans
  • The military granted him a deferment from active duty
rescheduling

Use this word when arranging for something to happen at a different time or date, implying a specific plan or agenda has been changed.

  • We need to look at rescheduling the appointment for next week
  • The committee decided on the rescheduling of the event

Examples of usage

  • The postponement of the trial was requested by the defense attorney.
  • The postponement of the meeting was due to unforeseen circumstances.
Context #2 | Noun

general term

The act of delaying or deferring an event or action to a later time.

Synonyms

deferment, delay, rescheduling.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
postponement

Use when referring to an event or action pushed to a later time or date, often with a neutral or formal tone.

  • The meeting has been scheduled for a postponement due to unforeseen circumstances
delay

Use in everyday situations to describe something taking longer than expected, often with a negative connotation.

  • The flight was delayed due to bad weather
deferment

Use in formal or official contexts to describe delaying something, often with approval or formal agreement.

  • She applied for a deferment of her student loan payments
rescheduling

Use when changing the time of an event to a different date or time, often in personal or professional contexts.

  • We are rescheduling the conference to next month

Examples of usage

  • The postponement of the project deadline was necessary to ensure quality.
  • The postponement of the event disappointed many attendees.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Latin 'postponere', meaning 'to place after'.
  • It is a combination of 'post', meaning 'after', and 'ponere', which means 'to place'.
  • The term has been in use in English since the late 14th century, originally in legal contexts.

Psychology

  • Researchers find that postponement can lead to increased anxiety, especially if someone struggles with procrastination.
  • Delaying tasks often causes a cycle of stress, where the longer one waits, the more daunting the task seems.
  • People often postpone activities to avoid immediate discomfort or fear of failure.

Societal Impact

  • In business, postponement strategies can help companies manage inventory more efficiently by delaying production until demand is clear.
  • During crises, such as a pandemic, many events and deadlines were postponed to ensure public safety.
  • Cultural practices often incorporate postponement; for instance, seasons in agriculture dictate when to plant or harvest crops.

Literature

  • Many literary characters face dilemmas about postponement, showcasing internal struggles with commitment and timing, as seen in various classic novels.
  • For example, Shakespeare's Hamlet reflectively grapples with delaying his decision, illustrating the theme of indecision prevalent in literature.
  • Postponement often serves as a plot device that adds tension, as actions are delayed until the climax of the story.

Pop Culture

  • Films often portray a sense of urgency where characters must address their procrastination, like in 'Groundhog Day'.
  • In music, songs about taking a chance or overcoming delays resonate with listeners, often capturing a sense of urgency.
  • Television series use the concept of postponement in episodic arcs, where characters circle back to unresolved issues, creating suspense.

Translations

Translations of the word "postponement" in other languages:

🇵🇹 adiamento

🇮🇳 स्थगन

🇩🇪 Verschiebung

🇮🇩 penundaan

🇺🇦 відтермінування

🇵🇱 odroczenie

🇯🇵 延期 (えんき)

🇫🇷 report

🇪🇸 aplazamiento

🇹🇷 erteleme

🇰🇷 연기 (yeongi)

🇸🇦 تأجيل (ta'jil)

🇨🇿 odložení

🇸🇰 odklad

🇨🇳 延期 (yánqí)

🇸🇮 odložitev

🇮🇸 frestun

🇰🇿 кейінге қалдыру

🇬🇪 გადავადება (gadavadeba)

🇦🇿 təxirə salma

🇲🇽 aplazamiento

Word Frequency Rank

At position #13,579, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.