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

The state hasn’t executed anyone in nearly 20 years, and Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a moratorium on all executions in 2019. —Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2024

Some Republicans oppose the funding without concessions, like bringing up Ukraine aid in exchange for President Biden reversing a moratorium on natural gas export permitting, or allowing the sale of frozen assets of Russian oligarchs. —Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2024

One-year moratorium on new electronic pull tab locations Another change that concerns Mulrooney, the founder of Shirley’s Way, is a one-year moratorium on licensing new electronic pull tab locations starting on July 1, 2024. —The Courier-Journal, 9 Apr. 2024

It’s been more than 30 years since a moratorium on cod fishing struck a heavy blow to the economy of Fogo Island, off the coast of Newfoundland. —Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 8 Apr. 2024

Ledger told The Republic the moratorium was not a factor, clarifying that the ban on solar does not apply to local utilities like MEC. —The Arizona Republic, 7 Apr. 2024

While the moratoriums were understandable given the circumstances, Wolfe said the overall problem runs deeper. —Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Mar. 2024

In this way, the moratoriums offered a glimpse of what a renter’s safety net, even a tenuous one, might mean for vulnerable tenants. —Mya Frazier, Harper's Magazine, 26 Feb. 2024

The limits come in the form of outright bans, moratoriums, construction impediments and other conditions that make green energy difficult to build. —Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2024

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