suspension

noun

sus·​pen·​sion sə-ˈspen(t)-shən 

1

: the act of suspending : the state or period of being suspended: such as

a

: temporary removal (as from office or privileges)

b

: temporary withholding (as of belief or decision)

c

: temporary abrogation of a law or rule

d(1)

: the holding over of one or more musical tones of a chord into the following chord producing a momentary discord and suspending the concord which the ear expects

specifically : such a dissonance which resolves downward compare anticipation, retardation

(2)

: the tone thus held over

e

: stoppage of payment of business obligations : failure

—used especially of a business or a bank

f

: a rhetorical device whereby the principal idea is deferred to the end of a sentence or longer unit

2

a

: the act of hanging : the state of being hung

b(1)

: the state of a substance when its particles are mixed with but undissolved in a fluid or solid

(2)

: a substance in this state

(3)

: a system consisting of a solid dispersed in a solid, liquid, or gas usually in particles of larger than colloidal size compare emulsion

3

: something suspended

4

: the means by which something is suspended

especially : the system of devices (such as springs) supporting the upper part of a vehicle on the axles

Synonyms

• abeyance
• cold storage
• deep freeze
• doldrums
• dormancy
• holding pattern
• latency
• moratorium
• quiescence
• suspended animation
• suspense

Examples of suspension in a Sentence

He was angry about his suspension from the team.

His record shows several suspensions from school.

He's under suspension for breaking the rules.

a suspension of the rules

She was punished by suspension of her driver's license.

Recent Examples on the Web

Game 4: Green made a triumphant return for Golden State after his suspension, offering to come off the bench and to defend Fox in the second half. —Joe Davidson, Sacramento Bee, 15 Apr. 2024

Green will finish the regular season at just 55 games because of his suspensions, so his load was relatively light. —Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 14 Apr. 2024

Advertisement After two emergency meetings, two-thirds of the voting members of Pomona College’s faculty body supported a motion on Thursday demanding that Starr drop student suspensions and criminal charges. —Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2024

The rear suspension is a multilink independent with coil springs. —Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press, 10 Apr. 2024

The penalty could range from a fine and probation to suspension or full revocation of the club's permit. —Ron Wood, arkansasonline.com, 9 Apr. 2024

Lockheed Martin will use its extensive experience crafting to facilitate the production of the vehicle, while General Motors will contribute to the design of the chassis and suspension in addition to providing the LTV’s power source. —Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 8 Apr. 2024

The incident led to the suspension of his record label contract, a disqualification from the 2021 Academy of Country Music Awards and the removal of his songs from radio play. —Julia Moore, Peoplemag, 8 Apr. 2024

Rice could face a variety of penalties, including a suspension. —David Ammenheuser, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English suspensyon, from Anglo-French suspension, from Late Latin suspension-, suspensio, from Latin suspendere

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing suspension

• active suspension
• air suspension
• independent suspension
• suspension bridge
• suspension points

Kids Definition

suspension

noun

sus·​pen·​sion sə-ˈspen-chən 

1

a

: the act or an instance of suspending

b

: the state of being suspended

c

: the period during which someone or something is suspended

2

: the act of hanging : the state of being hung

3

: the state of a substance when its particles are mixed with but not dissolved in a fluid or solid

also : a substance in this state

4

: something suspended

5

: the system of devices (as springs) supporting the upper part of a vehicle on the axles

Medical Definition

suspension

noun

sus·​pen·​sion sə-ˈspen-chən 

1

a

: the state of a substance when its particles are mixed with but undissolved in a fluid or solid

b

: a substance in this state see oral suspension

2

: a system consisting of a solid dispersed in a solid, liquid, or gas usually in particles of larger than colloidal size

Legal Definition

suspension

noun

sus·​pen·​sion

: the act of suspending : the state or period of being suspended

the suspension of an employee