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 of suspension

• 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

Florida International University is accusing the members of a racist group chat among Miami campus Republicans of Student Code of Conduct violations that could lead to suspension or expulsion, the school’s president announced this week. —Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 11 Mar. 2026

The suspension of Global Entry, long promoted by the government as a time-saving benefit for frequent international travelers, drew swift criticism from Democratic lawmakers and industry groups. —Hanna Park, CNN Money, 11 Mar. 2026

Doncic also has 15 technical fouls, and while the gesture was not called for a ‘T’ during live action, his 16th technical will lead to a one-game suspension. —Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 11 Mar. 2026

Estella Restaurant in downtown was hit with a one-day license suspension, the Boston Licensing Board voted last week, after a post-AFC championship party with Patriots players got out of control in January. —Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 11 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English suspensyon "dismissal, prohibition," borrowed from Anglo-French & Late Latin; Anglo-French suspension "temporary debarring or prohibition," borrowed from Late Latin suspensiōn-, suspensiō "action of suspending or being suspended, waiting, uncertainty," going back to Latin, "floor supported by vaulting," from suspendere "to suspend" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action

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

Rhymes for suspension

• attention
• contention
• convention
• declension
• detention
• dimension
• dissension
• distension
• extension
• intension
• invention
• laurentian

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