noun
Uncommon
moratorium
mo-ruh-TAW-rih-uhm
Moratorium (noun) means an official, temporary halt to an activity or agreement. Example: “The government declared a moratorium on new building permits.”
noun
1
An official, temporary halt to an activity or agreement.
"The government declared a moratorium on new building permits."
"The bank granted the company a moratorium on its loan repayments."
How to use moratorium
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA temporary official suspension of some activity, rule, or repayment.
Common pairings
a moratorium on
declare a moratorium
lift a moratorium
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Word forms
- Plural
- moratoriums, moratoria
Fill the gap
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The government declared a _____ on new building permits.
Etymology
From New Latin moratorium, from Latin moror, "to delay," from mora, "delay."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for moratorium
See all rhymes for moratorium →Frequently asked questions
What does “moratorium” mean?
The word “moratorium” means an official, temporary halt to an activity or agreement. In plain terms, a temporary official suspension of some activity, rule, or repayment.
How do you pronounce “moratorium”?
“Moratorium” is pronounced mo-ruh-TAW-rih-uhm (/ˌmɔ.ɹəˈtɔ.ɹi.əm/ in IPA).
How do you use “moratorium” in a sentence?
Here is “moratorium” used in a sentence: “The government declared a moratorium on new building permits.”
What is another word for “moratorium”?
Words with a similar meaning to “moratorium” include interruption and recess.
What part of speech is “moratorium”?
“Moratorium” is a noun.
Where does the word “moratorium” come from?
The word “moratorium” comes from New Latin. From New Latin moratorium, from Latin moror, "to delay," from mora, "delay.".
Is “moratorium” a common word?
“Moratorium” is an uncommon word in modern English.
