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
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
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
But once those moratoriums ended in 2023, unlawful detainers (a type of notice that can lead to eviction) doubled from June 2022 to June 2023.
—Saumya Roy, The Dial, 6 Jan. 2026
State and federal eviction moratoriums instituted during the pandemic had fully expired by mid-2022, when cases began to climb toward new records, and not in a good way.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 4 Jan. 2026
Nick Reiner could face the potential death penalty if convicted, although California has placed a moratorium on executions, and his attorneys are expected to present an insanity defense after reports that the 32-year-old has been diagnosed with schizophrenia.
—Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 1 Jan. 2026
The city can re-attempt the incentive package this summer, when a one-year moratorium on the issue lifts.
—Sacbee.com, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for moratorium
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Saumya Roy, The Dial, 6 Jan. 2026
State and federal eviction moratoriums instituted during the pandemic had fully expired by mid-2022, when cases began to climb toward new records, and not in a good way.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 4 Jan. 2026
Nick Reiner could face the potential death penalty if convicted, although California has placed a moratorium on executions, and his attorneys are expected to present an insanity defense after reports that the 32-year-old has been diagnosed with schizophrenia.
—Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 1 Jan. 2026
The city can re-attempt the incentive package this summer, when a one-year moratorium on the issue lifts.
—Sacbee.com, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for moratorium
Cite this Entry
“Moratorium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/moratorium. Accessed 8 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share