suspend
- 01 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.
Simple“The ferry service was suspended for two hours because of the thick fog.”
In context“The central bank decided to suspend trading on the stock exchange following the sudden and unexplained collapse of the national currency.”
- 02 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.
Simple“A large crystal lamp was suspended from the ceiling in the middle of the room.”
In context“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.”
- 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
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.
Simple“The player was suspended for three games after he argued with the referee.”
In context“The board of directors voted to suspend the chief executive without pay while the internal investigation into the missing funds was being conducted.”
- 04 C1 Advanced
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.
Simple“You should suspend your judgment until you have heard both sides of the story.”
In context“The committee chose to suspend their final verdict on the proposal until the environmental impact study had been thoroughly peer-reviewed.”
- 05 C1 Advanced
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.
Simple“The medicine contains tiny bubbles of oil suspended in a watery liquid.”
In context“The volcanic ash remained suspended in the upper atmosphere for several months, causing a measurable drop in global temperatures.”
Antonyms
Usage suspend operations
“You do that?’” Ali gets a different kind of comment when people see the level of strength it takes to suspend his bodyweight in the air.”
“It will also suspend these visas for those from Portugal, Switzerland, Greece and Austria, as well as several countries across Asia and South America.”
From Old French sospendre, from Latin suspendere.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.