English Reference
verb · adjective

suspended

v. · adj.
US /səˈspɛndɪd/ UK /səspˈɛndɪd/ sus·pend·ed

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate

    v.to stop an activity, a rule, or a service for a short time.

    v.to temporarily prevent from continuing or being in force. Transitive; often used in passive constructions regarding official procedures.

    Simple

    The train service was suspended for two hours because of the heavy snow.

    In context

    The government suspended the trade agreement indefinitely following the breakdown of diplomatic negotiations between the two nations.

  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate

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

    v.to hang something from a support so that it is free on all sides except at the point of attachment.

    Simple

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

    In context

    The architect designed a bridge that appeared to be suspended by invisible cables, creating a striking silhouette against the city skyline.

  3. 03 B2 Upper Intermediate Formal

    v.to officially tell someone they cannot go to work or school for a while as a punishment.

    v.to debar temporarily from a privilege, office, or function as a disciplinary measure.

    Simple

    The student was suspended for three days after he broke the school rules.

    In context

    The professional athlete was suspended for the remainder of the season after testing positive for a prohibited substance.

    excludedebar
  4. 04 C1 Advanced Technical Science

    adj.when small pieces of a solid stay floating in a liquid or in the air without sinking.

    adj.referring to particles dispersed throughout the bulk of a fluid medium but not dissolved. Often used in the phrase 'suspended solids'.

    Simple

    The water looked cloudy because of the suspended sand particles.

    In context

    The laboratory analysis revealed high levels of suspended particulate matter, suggesting that the filtration system was failing to meet safety standards.

  5. 05 C2 Proficiency Technical Music

    adj.a chord where one note is changed to create a feeling of tension.

    adj.describing a chord in which the third is omitted and replaced with a major second or a perfect fourth, creating a dissonance that typically requires resolution.

    Simple

    The song uses a suspended chord to make the music sound more dramatic.

    In context

    The composer frequently employed suspended fourths to delay the harmonic resolution, heightening the emotional tension of the final movement.

Usage suspended major · suspended the counting · suspended until

Flights will be suspended until at least Saturday afternoon, leaving hundreds of travellers stranded.

Al Jazeera· 14 Aug 2026

The Korean baseball league was suspended for a week due to the extreme heat.

Al Jazeera· 14 Aug 2026
This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Common
Updated