Procrastination is the act of unnecessarily and voluntarily delaying or postponing something despite knowing that there could be negative consequences for doing so. It is a common human experience involving delays in everyday chores or even putting off tasks such as attending an appointment, submitting a job report or academic assignment, or broaching a stressful issue with a partner. It is often perceived as a negative trait due to its hindering effect on one's productivity, associated with depression, low self-esteem, guilt, and feelings of inadequacy. However, it can also be considered a wise response to certain demands that could present risky or negative outcomes or require waiting for new information to arrive.

தள்ளிப்போடுதல் அல்லது காலம் கடத்துதல் (procrastination) என்பது செயல்களை அல்லது வேலைகளை பின்னால் செய்துகொள்ளலாம் என்று ஒதுக்கிவைத்தலைக் குறிக்கிறது. மனோதத்துவ நிபுணர்கள் இந்த வகையில், இதை ஒரு வகை இயந்திர செயல்பாடு என்கின்றனர்.