prolongation: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal; used in academic, technical, and literary contexts.
Quick answer
What does “prolongation” mean?
The act of making something last longer or extending its duration.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The act of making something last longer or extending its duration.
The state or result of being extended, often implying an intentional or artificial extension in time, space, or process.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage; spelling is the same.
Connotations
Similarly formal in both varieties; may imply tedium or delay.
Frequency
Equally infrequent in general use; slightly more common in British English in legal contexts, but not substantially.
Grammar
How to Use “prolongation” in a Sentence
of + noun (e.g., prolongation of something)in + context (e.g., prolongation in time)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “prolongation” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The committee decided to prolong the consultation period.
American English
- The committee decided to extend the feedback period.
adverb
British English
- The debate continued prolongedly into the night.
American English
- The debate continued for a prolonged period into the night.
adjective
British English
- The prolonged strike disrupted public services.
American English
- The extended strike disrupted public services.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to the extension of contracts or project timelines.
Academic
Used in discussions about experimental durations or historical periods.
Everyday
Rarely used; more common in formal speech or writing.
Technical
Common in medical terms (e.g., prolongation of QT interval) or engineering.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “prolongation”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “prolongation”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “prolongation”
- Using 'prolongation' in informal conversations where 'extension' or 'delay' would be more appropriate.
- Confusing 'prolongation' (noun) with 'prolong' (verb).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Prolongation' often implies making something last longer than intended or desired, while 'extension' is more neutral and can refer to any increase in length or time.
No, 'prolongation' is a noun. The verb form is 'prolong'.
No, it is relatively formal and less common in everyday speech; it is more frequent in academic or technical contexts.
In American English, it is pronounced as /proʊˌlɔːŋˈɡeɪʃən/.
The act of making something last longer or extending its duration.
Prolongation is usually formal; used in academic, technical, and literary contexts. in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “prolongation of the agony”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'pro-long-ation' – making something long for a longer time.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS A STRETCHABLE OBJECT that can be prolonged.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'prolongation' most appropriately used?