Postponement of punishment (8)
I believe the answer is:
reprieve
'postponement of punishment' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for reprieve that I've seen before include "Pardon (malefactor)" , "Temporary relief, like stay on death sentence" , "Delay or cancel (death sentence)" , "Let off; brief respite" , "Amnesty" .)