suspend

[ suh-spend ]

verb (used with object)

1. to hang by attachment to something above:

   to suspend a chandelier from the ceiling.

2. to attach so as to allow free movement:

   to suspend a door on a hinge.

3. to keep from falling, sinking, forming a deposit, etc., as if by hanging:

   to suspend solid particles in a liquid.

4. to hold or keep undetermined; refrain from forming or concluding definitely:

   to suspend one's judgment.

5. to defer or postpone:

   to suspend sentence on a convicted person.

6. to cause to cease or bring to a stop or stay, usually for a time:

   to suspend payment.

   Synonyms: discontinue, intermit

7. to cause to cease for a time from operation or effect, as a law, rule, privilege, service, or the like:

   to suspend ferry service.

8. to debar, usually for a limited time, from the exercise of an office or function or the enjoyment of a privilege:

   The student was suspended from school.

9. to keep in a mood or feeling of expectation or incompleteness; keep waiting in suspense:

   Finish the story; don't suspend us in midair.

10. Music. to prolong (a note or tone) into the next chord.

verb (used without object)

1. to come to a stop, usually temporarily; cease from operation for a time.
2. to stop payment; be unable to meet financial obligations.
3. to hang or be suspended, as from another object:

   The chandelier suspends from the ceiling.

4. to be suspended, as in a liquid, gas, etc.

suspend

/ səˈspɛnd /

verb

1. tr to hang from above so as to permit free movement
2. tr; passive to cause to remain floating or hanging

   a cloud of smoke was suspended over the town

3. tr to render inoperative or cause to cease, esp temporarily

   to suspend interest payments

4. tr to hold in abeyance; postpone action on

   to suspend a decision

5. tr to debar temporarily from privilege, office, etc, as a punishment
6. tr chem to cause (particles) to be held in suspension in a fluid
7. tr music to continue (a note) until the next chord is sounded, with which it usually forms a dissonance See suspension
8. intr to cease payment, as from incapacity to meet financial obligations
9. obsolete.
   tr to put or keep in a state of anxiety or wonder
10. obsolete.
    intr to be attached from above

Derived Forms

• susˌpendiˈbility, noun
• susˈpendible, adjective

Other Words From

• sus·pend·i·ble adjective
• sus·pend·i·bil·i·ty [s, uh, -spen-d, uh, -, bil, -i-tee], noun
• pre·sus·pend verb (used with object)
• re·sus·pend verb
• un·sus·pend·i·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of suspend¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English suspenden, from Latin suspendere “to hang up,” equivalent to sus- sus- + pendere (transitive) “to hang” ( pend, suspense )

Word History and Origins

Origin of suspend¹

C13: from Latin suspendere from sub- + pendere to hang

Synonym Study

See interrupt.

Example Sentences

Right To Life UK wants the government to suspend the ability for people to be sent this medication by post, which was introduced during the Covid pandemic, in light of the case.

From BBC

The next day, she went to her local Citizens Advice Bureau and - with the help of the staff there - suspended the process.

From BBC

But she needed extra help with her care and was forced to suspend studying for a year to return to her family home.

From BBC

Electricity generation was temporarily suspended at Ballylumford, one of Northern Ireland's main power stations, after the natural gas-fired power station reported structural damage to one of its smaller chimneys.

From BBC

Scottish Labour confirmed he had been suspended pending the outcome of the investigation.

From BBC

Related Words

• adjourn
• arrest
• bar
• cease
• defer
• discontinue
• eject
• exclude
• file
• halt
• interrupt
• postpone
• put off
• reject
• rule out
• shelve
• stay
• waive
• withhold