Standard Lemma guide

protract

verb · 6 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • UK: /pɹəˈtɹakt/
  • Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • Canada, US: /pɹoʊˈtɹækt/
  • Canada, US: /pɹəˈtɹækt/
  • Texas: Austin Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • CMU ARPABET: P R OW0 T R AE1 K T Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
  • CMU ARPABET 2: P R OW1 T R AE0 K T Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To draw out; to extend, especially in duration.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • 1755, Samuel Johnson, A Dictionary of the English Language, London: J. and P. Knapton et al., Volume 1, Preface, I have protracted my work till most of those whom I wished to please, have sunk into the grave [...]

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To use a protractor.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

To draw to a scale; to lay down the lines and angles of, with scale and protractor; to plot.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: geography, natural-sciences, surveying

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

verb

Meaning 4

To put off to a distant time; to delay; to defer.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • to protract a decision or duty

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

5

verb

Meaning 5

To extend; to protrude.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • A cat can protract and retract its claws.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

6

verb

Meaning 6

lengthen in time; cause to be or last longer

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • We prolonged our stay
  • She extended her visit by another day
  • The meeting was drawn out until midnight

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: prolong, extend, draw out

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: lengthen

Narrower terms: extend, temporize, temporise, spin, spin out

History

Etymology

From the past participle stem of Latin prōtrahō. By surface analysis, pro- + tract.

Across languages

Translations

33 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Bulgarian: удължавам (udǎlžavam) — To draw out; to extend, especially in duration.
  • Dutch: verlengen — To draw out; to extend, especially in duration.
  • Dutch: aanhouden — To draw out; to extend, especially in duration.
  • Dutch: rekken — To draw out; to extend, especially in duration.
  • Finnish: pitkittää — To draw out; to extend, especially in duration.
  • French: prolonger — To draw out; to extend, especially in duration.
  • French: tirer en longueur — To draw out; to extend, especially in duration.
  • German: verlängern — To draw out; to extend, especially in duration.
  • German: sich ziehen — To draw out; to extend, especially in duration.
  • German: sich hinziehen — To draw out; to extend, especially in duration.
  • German: in die Länge ziehen — To draw out; to extend, especially in duration.
  • German: überziehen — To draw out; to extend, especially in duration.
  • Ido: tardigar — To draw out; to extend, especially in duration.
  • Italian: protrarre — To draw out; to extend, especially in duration.
  • Māori: autō — To draw out; to extend, especially in duration.
  • Māori: aukume — To draw out; to extend, especially in duration.
  • Māori: whakaupa — To draw out; to extend, especially in duration.
  • Portuguese: prolongar — To draw out; to extend, especially in duration.
  • Spanish: prolongar — To draw out; to extend, especially in duration.
  • Spanish: protraer — To draw out; to extend, especially in duration.
  • Dutch: op schaal tekenen — To use a protractor.
  • Bulgarian: начертавам (načertavam) — To draw or delineate.
  • Dutch: schetsen — To draw or delineate.
  • Dutch: afbakenen — To draw or delineate.
  • Bulgarian: отлагам (otlagam) — to put off to a distant time; to delay; to defer
  • Bulgarian: протакам (protakam) — to put off to a distant time; to delay; to defer
  • Danish: udskyde — to put off to a distant time; to delay; to defer
  • Dutch: uitstellen — to put off to a distant time; to delay; to defer
  • German: verschieben — to put off to a distant time; to delay; to defer
  • Spanish: diferir — to put off to a distant time; to delay; to defer
  • German: ausfahren — to extend; to protrude
  • German: verlängern — to extend; to protrude
  • Spanish: extender — to extend; to protrude