Meanings
plural prorogations
- countableuncountableCausing something to last longer or remain in effect longer; prolongation, continuance.First known use 15th c.
- countableuncountablegovernmentThe action of proroguing an assembly, especially a parliament; discontinuance of meetings for a given period of time, without dissolution.First known use 15th c.
There were extraordinary scenes of chaos and anger in the House of Commons overnight as opposition MPs staged a protest against the suspension of parliament for five weeks – a prorogation that the Speaker of the House said represented “an act of executive fiat”.
2019 September 10, Kate Lyons, “Brexit: chants of 'shame' as suspension of parliament descends into chaos”, in The Guardian - countableuncountablegovernmentThe period of such a discontinuance between two sessions of a legislative body.First known use 16th c.
- archaiccountableuncountableDeferral to a later time; postponement.First known use 15th c.
Synonyms: cunctation
Synonyms & antonyms
nounDeferral to a later time; postponement.
Origin
- Latinprōrogātiō“extension, postponement”
- Middle Frenchprorogation
- Anglo-Normanprorogation
- Englishprorogation
From Anglo-Norman prorogation, Middle French prorogation, and their source, Latin prōrogātiō (“extension, postponement”).
More words from Anglo-Norman, Middle French, Latin
Full word history & related roots →Cite this entry
prorogation. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/prorogation
“prorogation.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/prorogation. Accessed November 2, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “prorogation,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/prorogation.
Source: prorogation on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.