moratorium

noun

mor·​a·​to·​ri·​um ˌmȯr-ə-ˈtȯr-ē-əm 

ˌmär-

plural moratoriums or moratoria ˌmȯr-ə-ˈtȯr-ē-ə 

ˌmär-

1

a

: a legally authorized period of delay in the performance of a legal obligation or the payment of a debt

b

: a waiting period set by an authority

2

: a suspension of activity

Synonyms

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

Examples of moratorium in a Sentence

In 2000, Illinois declared a moratorium on executions after 13 death-row inmates were exonerated. —Evan Thomas et al., Newsweek, 19 Nov. 2007

But one country's moratorium is another country's protectionism, and the U.S. is suspicious of Europe's actions. —Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 13 Sept. 1999

The striped bass are recovering strongly after a moratorium on catching them. —John P. Wiley, Jr., Smithsonian, November 1993

Her office was crammed with ungraded school papers, some of them dating back five years. She was far behind in her work—so far behind that she had declared a moratorium on school work until she could catch up on her grading. —Kurt Vonnegut, Jr., The Sirens of Titan, 1959

The treaty calls for a nuclear testing moratorium.

the director of the blood bank called for a moratorium in donations until the surplus could be used up

Recent Examples on the Web

And noting how separate research under review shows how hurricanes can contribute to rising evictions, Best suggested that post-storm eviction moratoria could prove beneficial in helping affected residents. —Alicia Wallace, CNN, 23 Jan. 2025

Supervisors agreed to meet with hemp farmers before their next meeting, a few days before the hemp moratorium expires Jan. 31, to discuss possible solutions. —Jake Goodrick, Sacramento Bee, 21 Jan. 2025

The city implemented eviction moratoriums during the COVID-19 pandemic and in 2022 for people renting spaces at RV parks. —Tammy Murga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Jan. 2025

However, the moratorium doesn't count for insurers who have already announced non-renewals. —Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Late Latin, neuter of moratorius dilatory, from Latin morari to delay, from mora delay

First Known Use

1875, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

moratorium

noun

mor·​a·​to·​ri·​um ˌmȯr-ə-ˈtōr-ē-əm 

ˌmär-,

-ˈtȯr-

plural moratoriums or moratoria -ē-ə 

1

: a legally approved period of delay in the payment of a debt or the performance of a duty

2

: ban entry 2 sense 2, suspension

a moratorium on atomic testing

Legal Definition

moratorium

noun

mor·​a·​to·​ri·​um ˌmȯr-ə-ˈtȯr-ē-əm 

plural moratoriums; plural moratoria

1

a

: an authorized period of delay in the performance of an obligation (as the paying of a debt)

b

: a waiting period set by an authority

2

: a suspension of activity

Etymology

New Latin, from Late Latin, neuter of moratorius dilatory, from morari to delay, from mora delay