suspend
suhs-PEHND
Suspend (verb) means to stop something temporarily, meaning to start it again later. Example: “The match was suspended due to rain.”
verb
1
To stop something temporarily, meaning to start it again later.
"The match was suspended due to rain."
"They suspended the negotiations until next week."
"The council will suspend the bus service during the road repairs and restart it in spring."
2
To officially and temporarily remove someone from a job, school, or privilege.
"He was suspended from school for a week."
"The club decided to suspend the player for two games after the argument."
3
To hang something so that it does not touch the ground.
"A single light bulb was suspended from the ceiling."
"They suspend colourful paper lanterns from the beams above the garden party."
How to use suspend
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo pause something temporarily, to hang something up, or to temporarily bar someone from a role or privilege.
Common pairings
suspend a game
suspend a student
suspend from the ceiling
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- suspends
- Past tense
- suspended
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The match was _____ due to rain.
Etymology
From Old French sospendre, from Latin suspendere, "to hang up" — from sub- ("under") plus pendere ("to hang").
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “suspend” mean?
The word “suspend” means to stop something temporarily, meaning to start it again later. In plain terms, to pause something temporarily, to hang something up, or to temporarily bar someone from a role or privilege.
How do you pronounce “suspend”?
“Suspend” is pronounced suhs-PEHND (/səsˈpɛnd/ in IPA).
How do you use “suspend” in a sentence?
Here is “suspend” used in a sentence: “The match was suspended due to rain.”
What is the opposite of “suspend”?
The opposite of “suspend” — its antonyms — is resume.
What part of speech is “suspend”?
“Suspend” is a verb.
Where does the word “suspend” come from?
The word “suspend” comes from Latin. From Old French sospendre, from Latin suspendere, "to hang up" — from sub- ("under") plus pendere ("to hang").
Is “suspend” a common word?
“Suspend” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “suspend” have?
“Suspend” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to stop something temporarily, meaning to start it again later.
What is the difference between suspend and cancel?
Suspend means to stop something temporarily with the expectation it will start again later, while cancel means to end something permanently with no plan to resume it. A suspended event or privilege is expected to return, whereas a cancelled one is not.
How is suspend used differently for people versus objects?
When applied to a person, suspend means to officially and temporarily remove them from a job, school, or privilege. When applied to an object, it means to hang it so that it does not touch the ground. Both senses share the idea of something being held in a temporary, unsettled state.
What is a common phrase using suspend?
Common phrases include suspend a student, suspend judgment, and suspended from a ceiling, reflecting the word's three main senses: pausing something, removing a privilege temporarily, or hanging something in place.
