moratorium

noun

mor·​a·​to·​ri·​um ˌmȯr-ə-ˈtȯr-ē-əm How to pronounce moratorium (audio)
ˌmär-
plural moratoriums or moratoria ˌmȯr-ə-ˈtȯr-ē-ə How to pronounce moratorium (audio)
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

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 On Monday, Forest Park City Council voted to declare a 180-day moratorium on issuing zoning certificates for adult use, aka recreational, marijuana dispensaries, cultivators, processors, testing facilities and other similar establishments. Erin Couch, The Enquirer, 8 Mar. 2024 But local impediments and bans threaten U.S. renewable energy goals Local governments have blocked new wind and solar projects through bans, moratoriums, construction limits and other policies that make new plants difficult to build. Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY, 27 Feb. 2024 This research rightly prompted significant discussions and moratoriums on the use of such software. Bruce Weinstein, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024 The leasing moratorium — originally enacted in 2016 under former President Barack Obama — didn't halt mining. Matthew Brown, Quartz, 21 Feb. 2024 The leasing moratorium — originally enacted in 2016 under former President Barack Obama — didn’t halt mining. Matthew Brown, The Denver Post, 21 Feb. 2024 Six months later, if the deadline still hasn’t been met, the Federal Highway Administration is required to impose a moratorium on highway funding (with exceptions for mass transit and public safety). Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2024 In such instances, the railroad that owns the right-of-way, which at San Clemente is the Orange County Transit Authority, may impose temporary suspensions or moratoriums on passenger or freight trains to reduce risks. Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Feb. 2024 The committee heard four hours of testimony on Senate Bill 52, which calls for a one-year moratorium on dedicated lanes to give the state time to study their efficacy. Brittany Carloni, The Indianapolis Star, 23 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'moratorium.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of moratorium was in 1875

Dictionary Entries Near moratorium

Cite this Entry

“Moratorium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/moratorium. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

moratorium

noun
mor·​a·​to·​ri·​um ˌmȯr-ə-ˈtōr-ē-əm How to pronounce moratorium (audio)
ˌmär-,
-ˈtȯr-
plural moratoriums or moratoria -ē-ə How to pronounce moratorium (audio)
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 How to pronounce moratorium (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on moratorium

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