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Postponement Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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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?

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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.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

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.

Origin of 'postponement'

Main points about word origin

  • 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.

The word 'postponement' originated from the combination of the prefix 'post-' meaning 'after' and the word 'ponement', derived from the Latin 'ponere' meaning 'to place'. The term has been used in legal contexts since the 17th century and has evolved to be commonly used in general language to indicate the act of delaying or rescheduling an event or action.

See also: postponed, postponer.

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.