suspend

[suh-spend]

verb (used with object)

1. to hang by attachment to something above.

   to suspend a chandelier from the ceiling.

2. to attach so as to allow free movement.

   to suspend a door on a hinge.

3. to keep from falling, sinking, forming a deposit, etc., as if by hanging.

   to suspend solid particles in a liquid.

4. to hold or keep undetermined; refrain from forming or concluding definitely.

   to suspend one's judgment.

5. to defer or postpone.

   to suspend sentence on a convicted person.

6. to cause to cease or bring to a stop or stay, usually for a time.

   to suspend payment.

   Synonyms: discontinue, intermit

7. to cause to cease for a time from operation or effect, as a law, rule, privilege, service, or the like.

   to suspend ferry service.

8. to debar, usually for a limited time, from the exercise of an office or function or the enjoyment of a privilege.

   The student was suspended from school.

9. to keep in a mood or feeling of expectation or incompleteness; keep waiting in suspense.

   Finish the story; don't suspend us in midair.

10. Music.,  to prolong (a note or tone) into the next chord.

verb (used without object)

1. to come to a stop, usually temporarily; cease from operation for a time.

2. to stop payment; be unable to meet financial obligations.

3. to hang or be suspended, as from another object.

   The chandelier suspends from the ceiling.

4. to be suspended, as in a liquid, gas, etc.

suspend

/ səˈspɛnd /

verb

1. (tr) to hang from above so as to permit free movement

2. (tr; passive) to cause to remain floating or hanging

   a cloud of smoke was suspended over the town

3. (tr) to render inoperative or cause to cease, esp temporarily

   to suspend interest payments

4. (tr) to hold in abeyance; postpone action on

   to suspend a decision

5. (tr) to debar temporarily from privilege, office, etc, as a punishment

6. (tr) chem to cause (particles) to be held in suspension in a fluid

7. (tr) music to continue (a note) until the next chord is sounded, with which it usually forms a dissonance See suspension

8. (intr) to cease payment, as from incapacity to meet financial obligations

9. obsolete,  (tr) to put or keep in a state of anxiety or wonder

10. obsolete,  (intr) to be attached from above

Other Word Forms

• suspendibility noun
• suspendible adjective
• presuspend verb (used with object)
• resuspend verb
• unsuspendible adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of suspend¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English suspenden, from Latin suspendere “to hang up,” equivalent to sus- sus- + pendere (transitive) “to hang” ( pend, suspense )

Word History and Origins

Origin of suspend¹

C13: from Latin suspendere from _sub- + pendere to hang

Synonym Study

See interrupt.

Example Sentences

Knight, of The Crescent, Bolton-upon-Dearne, was handed a 20-month sentence suspended for two years along with 50 sessions of rehabilitation activity and must return to court for periodic reviews by the judge.

From BBC

A US lawyer with the same name as Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg is suing the social media platform, arguing it keeps suspending his account while falsely accusing him of "impersonating a celebrity".

From BBC

The situation remains under review and output could remain suspended for longer.

From BBC

An internal investigation was launched when suspicions were raised about Thompson, with the PC arrested in October 2023 and suspended from duties.

From BBC

The chief executive of Pride in London has been suspended while under internal investigation for allegedly bullying a disabled volunteer and using vouchers donated by a sponsor to buy luxury perfumes.

From BBC

Related Words

• adjourn 
• arrest 
• bar 
• cease 
• defer 
• discontinue 
• eject 
• exclude 
• file 
• halt 
• interrupt 
• postpone 
• put off 
• reject 
• rule out 
• shelve 
• stay 
• waive 
• withhold 

When To Use

What does suspend mean?

Suspend most commonly means to cause to stop, to bring to a stop, to withhold, or to postpone, as in The bank has suspended payments or All activities have been suspended until further notice.It also commonly means to hang something by attaching it to something else, especially with ropes or cables, as in We need to suspend the banner from the ceiling. More specifically, suspend can mean to officially punish someone, such as an employee, student, or athlete, so that they are not allowed to participate in an activity for a certain period of time, as in He was suspended for five games for fighting. A person punished in this way is said to be suspended.The noun form suspension can be used for most senses of suspend to refer to an instance or the process of suspending.