abeyance
Americannoun
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a state of being suspended or put aside temporarily
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(usually preceded by in) law an indeterminate state of ownership, as when the person entitled to an estate has not been ascertained
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of abeyance
1520–30; < Anglo-French; Old French abeance aspiration, literally, a gaping at or toward. See a- 5, bay 2, -ance
Explanation
An abeyance is a temporary halt to something, with the emphasis on "temporary." It is usually used with the word "in" or "into"; "in abeyance" suggests a state of waiting or holding. The word abeyance has a legal ring to it, and for a good reason — appearing in English in the 16th century, it comes from the Anglo-French word abeiance, a legal term for waiting or hoping to receive property. Nowadays, the word is used in a similar way. Different legal rights, like property rights, can be held in abeyance until matters are resolved.
Vocabulary lists containing abeyance
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The chief worry for White is that until 2020 most supply shocks were positive and disinflationary, as globalization and efficient supply chains kept prices in abeyance.
From MarketWatch • Jan. 7, 2026
In all cases the removal of his titles and honours has been voluntary and they remain in abeyance, though not in use.
From BBC • Oct. 21, 2025
Those funds were held in abeyance, but Pechman now wants the state to pay $100 million of those fines.
From Seattle Times • Jul. 8, 2023
The gun charge would be held in abeyance and would be nixed if he keeps a clean record while serving two years on probation for the tax charges.
From Washington Times • Jul. 5, 2023
Had it not been for a determined English professor named Arthur Holmes, the quest might well have fallen into abeyance altogether.
From "A Short History of Nearly Everything" by Bill Bryson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
