prolong Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb lengthen in time; cause to be or last longer
    protract; draw out; extend.
    • We prolonged our stay
    • She extended her visit by another day
    • The meeting was drawn out until midnight
  2. verb lengthen or extend in duration or space
    keep up; sustain.
    • We sustained the diplomatic negotiations as long as possible
    • prolong the treatment of the patient
    • keep up the good work

WordNet

Pro*long" transitive verb
Etymology
F. prolonger, L. prolongare; pro before, forth + longus long. See Long, a., and cf. Prolongate, Purloin.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Prolonged ; present participle & verbal noun Prolonging
Definitions
  1. To extend in space or length; as, to prolong a line.
  2. To lengthen in time; to extend the duration of; to draw out; to continue; as, to prolong one's days.
    Prolong awhile the traitor's life. Shak.
    The unhappy queen with talk prolonged the night. Dryden.
  3. To put off to a distant time; to postpone. Shak.

Webster 1913