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

Boxing great Joe Louis is immortalized by a monumental, 24-foot long arm and fist held in balanced suspension from a pyramidal support of bronze poles at the corner of Jefferson and Woodward avenues. —Jalen Williams, Detroit Free Press, 29 Oct. 2024

The suspension components are no-name bits and include a non-adjustable rear shock and a front fork with lockout and preload adjustment. —William Roberson, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024

Williams expressed concern that the student protestors banned from campus as part of their suspension lost access to their housing and were unable to access health care through the university. —Ryan MacAsero, The Mercury News, 28 Oct. 2024

These wheels, Bopanna explained, likely held up thanks to Samsonite’s patented suspension technology. —Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 24 Oct. 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