suspension

noun

sus·​pen·​sion sə-ˈspen(t)-shən 

1

: the act of suspending : the state or period of being suspended: such as

a

: temporary removal (as from office or privileges)

b

: temporary withholding (as of belief or decision)

c

: temporary abrogation of a law or rule

d(1)

: the holding over of one or more musical tones of a chord into the following chord producing a momentary discord and suspending the concord which the ear expects

specifically : such a dissonance which resolves downward compare anticipation, retardation

(2)

: the tone thus held over

e

: stoppage of payment of business obligations : failure

—used especially of a business or a bank

f

: a rhetorical device whereby the principal idea is deferred to the end of a sentence or longer unit

2

a

: the act of hanging : the state of being hung

b(1)

: the state of a substance when its particles are mixed with but undissolved in a fluid or solid

(2)

: a substance in this state

(3)

: a system consisting of a solid dispersed in a solid, liquid, or gas usually in particles of larger than colloidal size compare emulsion

3

: something suspended

4

: the means by which something is suspended

especially : the system of devices (such as springs) supporting the upper part of a vehicle on the axles

Synonyms

• abeyance
• cold storage
• deep freeze
• doldrums
• dormancy
• holding pattern
• latency
• moratorium
• quiescence
• suspended animation
• suspense

Examples of suspension in a Sentence

He was angry about his suspension from the team.

His record shows several suspensions from school.

He's under suspension for breaking the rules.

a suspension of the rules

She was punished by suspension of her driver's license.

Recent Examples on the Web

His Arkansas law license suspension, which had a five-year timespan, ended in 2006, according to NBC News. —Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 26 Apr. 2024

Shortly before Iqbal, the Barnard student from Seattle, was arrested, she was given an interim suspension, meaning that she was banned from campus, effective immediately. —Andrew Marantz, The New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2024

Tesla is also rolling out version 3 of its Track Mode software feature, which the company says integrates motor controls, suspension controls, powertrain cooling, and the company’s Vehicle Dynamics Controller under a single, unified system. —Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 23 Apr. 2024

Other features include rear-axle steering, AMG’s versatile Active Ride Control suspension, and carbon-ceramic brakes. —Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 22 Apr. 2024

Suspicious activity could lead to the disqualification of candidates and a permanent suspension of the Athlete of the Week poll. —Nathan Canilao, The Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2024

Many of the auto enthusiasts prefer lowriders, classic American cars modified with hydraulic suspensions that will lift the body up off the chassis with the touch of a button or switch. —Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Apr. 2024

Speakers at the meeting urged the board not to reduce meetings of that committee, arguing that the meetings provide a vital space for monitoring and discussing the district's high rates of suspensions and expulsions. —Rory Linnane, Journal Sentinel, 19 Apr. 2024

Game 4: Green made a triumphant return for Golden State after his suspension, offering to come off the bench and to defend Fox in the second half. —Joe Davidson, Sacramento Bee, 15 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English suspensyon, from Anglo-French suspension, from Late Latin suspension-, suspensio, from Latin suspendere

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing suspension

• active suspension
• air suspension
• independent suspension
• suspension bridge
• suspension points

Kids Definition

suspension

noun

sus·​pen·​sion sə-ˈspen-chən 

1

a

: the act or an instance of suspending

b

: the state of being suspended

c

: the period during which someone or something is suspended

2

: the act of hanging : the state of being hung

3

: the state of a substance when its particles are mixed with but not dissolved in a fluid or solid

also : a substance in this state

4

: something suspended

5

: the system of devices (as springs) supporting the upper part of a vehicle on the axles

Medical Definition

suspension

noun

sus·​pen·​sion sə-ˈspen-chən 

1

a

: the state of a substance when its particles are mixed with but undissolved in a fluid or solid

b

: a substance in this state see oral suspension

2

: a system consisting of a solid dispersed in a solid, liquid, or gas usually in particles of larger than colloidal size

Legal Definition

suspension

noun

sus·​pen·​sion

: the act of suspending : the state or period of being suspended

the suspension of an employee