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REFERENCE

suspend

v.
US //səˈspɛnd// UK //səspˈɛnd// sus·pend
  1. 1 to stop temporarily (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to stop an activity or a process for a short period of time.

    to halt or defer an action, process, or service for a temporary duration. Transitive — requires a direct object.

    Example

    The ferry service was suspended for two hours because of the thick fog.

    Example

    The central bank decided to suspend trading on the stock exchange following the sudden and unexplained collapse of the national currency.
  2. 2 to hang (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to hang something from a high place so that it does not touch the ground.

    to hang something from above so that it is supported and allowed to swing or remain stationary in the air.

    Example

    A large crystal lamp was suspended from the ceiling in the middle of the room.

    Example

    The architect designed a bridge where the main deck is suspended from massive steel cables anchored into the bedrock on either side of the river.
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  1. 3 official punishment (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Formal

    to officially stop someone from attending school or doing their job for a while as a punishment.

    to debar someone temporarily from a privilege, office, or educational institution, typically as a disciplinary measure.

    Example

    The player was suspended for three games after he argued with the referee.

    Example

    The board of directors voted to suspend the chief executive without pay while the internal investigation into the missing funds was being conducted.
  2. 4 to delay a decision (v.)
    C1 Advanced Academic Formal

    to wait before making a final decision or judgment.

    to keep a decision, judgment, or belief in an undecided state until more information is available.

    Example

    You should suspend your judgment until you have heard both sides of the story.

    Example

    The committee chose to suspend their final verdict on the proposal until the environmental impact study had been thoroughly peer-reviewed.
  3. 5 particles in liquid (v.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Science

    to mix small pieces of a solid into a liquid so they stay there without sinking.

    to distribute particles of an insoluble solid throughout a liquid or gas. Often used in the passive voice.

    Example

    The medicine contains tiny bubbles of oil suspended in a watery liquid.

    Example

    The volcanic ash remained suspended in the upper atmosphere for several months, causing a measurable drop in global temperatures.
Origin

From Old French sospendre, from Latin suspendere.

Idioms1 entry

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