prolong

UK: /prəʊˈlɒŋ/ US: /prəˈlɔŋ, -ˈlɑŋ/ ,(prə lông′, -long′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

pro•long /prəˈlɔŋ, -ˈlɑŋ/   v. [~ + object]

1. to extend the amount of time for; cause (something) to continue longer:
   prolonged their visit.

pro•lon•ga•tion /ˌproʊlɔŋˈgeɪʃən/  n. [uncountable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

pro•long  (prə lông′, -long′), v.t. 

1. to lengthen out in time;
   extend the duration of;
   cause to continue longer:
   to prolong one's stay abroad.
2. to make longer in spatial extent:
   to prolong a line.

• Late Latin prōlongāre to lengthen, equivalent. to prō- pro-¹ + long(us) long¹ + -ā- theme vowel + -re infinitive ending
• late Middle English prolongen 1375–1425

pro•long′a•ble, adj. 
pro•long′a•ble•ness, n. 
pro•long′a•bly, adv. 
pro•long′er, n. 
pro•long′ment, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. See lengthen. 

Antonyms

• 1. abbreviate.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

prolong / prəˈlɒŋ/, prolongate / prəʊˈlɒŋˌɡeɪt/ verb

1. (transitive) to lengthen in duration or space; extend

Etymology: 15th Century: from Late Latin prōlongāre to extend, from Latin pro-¹ + longus long

prolongation / ˌprəʊlɒŋˈɡeɪʃən/ noun