protracted

UK: /prəˈtræktɪd/ US: /proʊˈtræktɪd, prə-/

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

pro•tract•ed /proʊˈtræktɪd, prə-/   adj. 

1. drawn out, esp. in time;
   prolonged:
   a protracted discussion.

See -trac-.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

protracted / prəˈtræktɪd/ adjective

1. extended or lengthened in time; prolonged

proˈtractedly adverb

proˈtractedness noun

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

pro•tract  (prō trakt′, prə-), v.t. 

1. to draw out or lengthen, esp. in time;
   extend the duration of;
   prolong.
2. Anatomy to extend or protrude.
3. Surveying (in surveying, mathematics, etc.) to plot and draw (lines) with a scale and a protractor.

• Latin prōtractus (past participle of prōtrahere to draw forth, prolong). See pro-¹, tract¹
• 1540–50

pro•tract′ed•ly, adv. 
pro•tract′ed•ness, n. 
pro•tract′i•ble, adj. 
pro•trac′tive, adj. 
Synonyms

• 1. continue. See lengthen. 

Antonyms

• 1. curtail.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

protract / prəˈtrækt/ verb (transitive)

1. to lengthen or extend (a speech, etc); prolong in time
2. (of a muscle) to draw, thrust, or extend (a part, etc) forwards
3. to plot or draw using a protractor and scale

Etymology: 16th Century: from Latin prōtrahere to prolong, from pro-¹ + trahere to drag