WordGarden.iosuspend
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /səspˈɛnd/
US
- /səˈspɛnd/
Meanings
Verb
to stop something temporarily so that it can continue or take effect later
to bar someone temporarily from school, work, sports, or an online service
to hang something from above or cause it to dangle
More meaningsFewer meanings
to disperse or keep fine particles in a liquid or gas without letting them settle
Beyond the definition
Imagine a lamp hanging from the ceiling: it is suspended by a cord or chain. But "suspend" is not only about hanging. It also means to stop something for a while, like when a school suspends a student, a company suspends its service, or a game is suspended because of bad weather. You can also suspend judgment, which means waiting before making a decision.
The main idea is that something is held for a time instead of moving forward normally. Sometimes it is held up in the air, and sometimes it is put on pause. That simple picture covers most common uses of the word.
To suspend something means to stop it for a period of time or to hang it from above so it doesn't touch the ground. The origin of the word comes from the Latin suspensus, meaning "hung up." This root gives us a clue—suspension often involves holding something in an intermediate state.
Authorities might suspend a driver's license if the driver commits traffic violations, temporarily taking away their privilege to drive. A teacher could suspend a student for breaking school rules, pausing their attendance until the issue is resolved. A government can even suspend constitutional rights during an emergency, though this is a serious and controversial action.
But suspension isn't always about punishment or interruption. You suspend disbelief when you enjoy fiction—willingly setting aside your skepticism to immerse yourself in the story. A bridge is often suspended over a river, held aloft by massive cables. In a scientific context, a liquid might have particles suspended within it, meaning they are dispersed throughout the fluid and do not settle to the bottom.
The key idea behind "suspend" is a temporary interruption or a holding pattern. It's about pausing action, whether physical or metaphorical, and keeping something in a state of waiting or balance. So next time you see something hanging or hear about an activity being put on hold, remember the power of suspension.
Examples
- 1
School closure
The school suspended classes for two days because of the snow.
- 2
Team discipline
He was suspended from the team after the fight.
- Patternsuspend someone from + group/activity
officially stop them from taking part in it for a time
- 3
Account access
My account was suspended after I entered the wrong password too many times.
- 4
Negotiations
Talks were suspended until both sides were ready to negotiate again.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Hanging object
A row of glass lights was suspended from the ceiling.
- 6
Careful decision
Let’s suspend judgment until we hear the full story.
- Phrasesuspend judgment
wait before deciding what you think
- 7
Fiction
The film is unrealistic, but it is easier to enjoy if you suspend disbelief.
- Phrasesuspend disbelief
accept something unlikely for a while
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- suspendverb
Forms
- suspendedpast tenseverb
- suspending-ing formverb
- suspendsverb