abeyance

noun

abey·​ance ə-ˈbā-ən(t)s 

1

: a state of temporary inactivity : suspension

—used chiefly in the phrase in abeyance

… new contracts on all but one existing mine … are in abeyance pending the outcome of a government inquiry to be carried out into Australia's role in the nuclear fuel cycle.

—Vimala Sarma

a plan that is currently being held in abeyance

2

: a lapse in succession during which there is no person in whom a title is vested

an estate in abeyance

abeyant

ə-ˈbā-ənt 

adjective

Did you know?

When should you use abeyance?

Jaw-dropping suspense is at the etymological heart of abeyance: the word’s Anglo-French forbear joined parts meaning “to open wide” and “to have the mouth wide open; gape, pant.” Almost always partnered with the word in, abeyance refers to a temporary lull in activity—a state of suspension (and perhaps suspense) before an action continues. If something, such as a plan or contract, is in abeyance, it is temporarily unable to take effect, be enforced, etc. When first borrowed into English in the early 16th century, abeyance referred to a lapse in succession during which there exists no person with a legal right to an estate or title of nobility; think of a property or title in this type of abeyance as being in a state of limbo, waiting for a rightful heir or owner. This meaning comes directly from its Anglo-French ancestor, which took the jaw-dropping suspense implied in the word’s parts and applied it to the edge-of-one’s-seat feeling when you don’t know who the next Earl or Countess will be.

Synonyms

• suspension
• suspense

Examples of abeyance in a Sentence

our weekend plans were held in abeyance until we could get a weather forecast

Recent Examples on the Web

Carroll requested during Wednesday’s meeting that the board either reject the charges or hold them in abeyance until the litigation between The Trap and the city is resolved. —Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 14 Aug. 2025

That threat was only held in abeyance by his signature; the commission needed to ratify it to fully spike the governor’s guns. —Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Aug. 2025

In the latest development, on June 27, 2025, the Permanent Court of Arbitration issued a supplementary award in favor of Pakistan, arguing that India’s holding of the treaty in abeyance did not affect its jurisdiction over the case. —Pintu Kumar Mahla, The Conversation, 16 July 2025

The bar will close for 30 days, permanently surrender its 4 a.m. license, and pay a $10,000 fine, with an additional $31,000 held in abeyance. —Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 30 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Anglo-French abeyaunce "absence of a claimant or owner, lapse in succession," from abaer, abair "to open wide" (from a-, prefix in transitive verbs—from Latin ad- ad- — + baer, baier "to have the mouth wide open, gape, pant," from Vulgar Latin *batāre, perhaps of imitative origin) + -ance -ance

First Known Use

circa 1530, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for abeyance

• conveyance
• reconveyance

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Kids Definition

abeyance

noun

abey·​ance ə-ˈbā-ən(t)s 

: a temporary interruption of activity

plans held in abeyance

abeyant

-ənt 

adjective

Medical Definition

abeyance

noun

abey·​ance ə-ˈbā-ən(t)s 

: temporary inactivity or suspension (as of function or a symptom)

Legal Definition

abeyance

noun

abey·​ance ə-ˈbā-əns 

1

: a lapse in the succession of property during which there is no person in whom title to the property is vested

—usually used with in

the estate was in abeyance

2

: temporary inactivity or suppression : cessation or suspension for a period of time

—usually used with in or into

to hold the entry of summary judgment in abeyance

—J. H. Friedenthal et al.

Etymology

Middle French abeance expectation (of a title or claimant), from abaer to expect, from a-, prefix stressing result + baer to gape, aim at