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
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
Trump has proposed a temporary suspension of the gas tax to help offset consumer strain.
—
Brooke Migdon, PEOPLE, 20 May 2026
The bill needed strong backing in the House, as it was passed under suspension, which requires a two-thirds majority vote and sidesteps certain procedural hurdles.
—Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 20 May 2026
While wide receiver Rashee Rice was serving his NFL suspension last season for his part in a multi-vehicle crash in Dallas on March 30, 2024, some of his teammates donned T-shirts in support.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 20 May 2026
On August 7, 1979, the Iranian government announced a new law authorizing the suspension of publications critical of the leadership.
—April White, JSTOR Daily, 20 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for suspension
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Brooke Migdon, PEOPLE, 20 May 2026
The bill needed strong backing in the House, as it was passed under suspension, which requires a two-thirds majority vote and sidesteps certain procedural hurdles.
—Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 20 May 2026
While wide receiver Rashee Rice was serving his NFL suspension last season for his part in a multi-vehicle crash in Dallas on March 30, 2024, some of his teammates donned T-shirts in support.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 20 May 2026
On August 7, 1979, the Iranian government announced a new law authorizing the suspension of publications critical of the leadership.
—April White, JSTOR Daily, 20 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for suspension
Cite this Entry
“Suspension.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/suspension. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
