0 the state of lasting for a long time or being made to last longer than necessary: --
Jury trials often suffer inordinate protraction.
The unnecessary protraction of the approval process is slowing work on other issues.
Protraction of the conflict prolongs suffering and endangers peace and stability.
Protraction of the crisis has devastated local communities.
A delay at this point in the program is not unheard of, but if the protraction continues there will be problems.