A moratoriumon a particular activity or process is the stopping of it for a fixed period of time, usually as a result of an official agreement.
...a moratorium on talking to the press until the dispute is settled. [+ on]
Synonyms: postponement, stay, freeze, halt More Synonyms of moratorium
moratorium in British English
(ˌmɒrəˈtɔːrɪəm)
nounWord forms: plural-ria (-rɪə) or -riums
1.
a legally authorized postponement of the fulfilment of an obligation
2.
an agreed suspension of activity
Derived forms
moratory (ˈmɒrətərɪ, -trɪ)
adjective
Word origin
C19: New Latin, from Late Latin morātōrius dilatory, from mora delay
moratorium in American English
(ˌmɔrəˈtɔriəm)
nounWord forms: pluralˌmoraˈtoriums or ˌmoraˈtoria (ˌmɔrəˈtɔriə)
1.
a legal authorization, usually by a law passed in an emergency, to delay payment of money due, as by a bank or debtor nation
2.
the effective period of such an authorization
3.
any authorized delay or stopping of some specified activity
Word origin
ModL < neut. of LL moratorius, delaying < L morari, to delay < mora, a delay: see merit
Examples of 'moratorium' in a sentence
moratorium
The moratorium on whaling is not working and we should not get hung up about replacing it.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The moratorium on commercial whaling is less and less effective each year.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
He called on the settlers to show restraint, but would not promise to extend the moratorium.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
A moratorium should be declared on at least three ways of enlisting people.
Christianity Today (2000)
Friends now accepts it received your request for a transfer before it imposed its moratorium and therefore agrees to the request for a partial transfer.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Latin American countries might well declare a moratorium on paying back all Western loans.
Abshire, David M. Preventing World War III - A Realistic Grand Strategy (1988)
This month lawmakers in France approved a bill banning shale gas drilling after a moratorium imposed in March because of safety fears.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
When he announced this change of career to the family, his father agreed to a one-year moratorium on getting a proper job.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
The US Government had imposed a moratorium on new drilling last year.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
In other languages
moratorium
British English: moratorium NOUN
A moratorium on a particular activity or process is the stopping of it for a fixed period of time, usually as a result of an official agreement.
They voted to impose a one-year moratorium on nuclear testing.
American English: moratorium
Brazilian Portuguese: moratória
Chinese: 暂停
European Spanish: moratoria
French: moratoire
German: Stopp
Italian: moratoria
Japanese: 一時停止
Korean: 일시 중단
European Portuguese: moratória
Latin American Spanish: moratoria
(noun)
Definition
an agreed suspension of activity
a one-year moratorium on nuclear testing
Synonyms
postponement
The postponement was due to a dispute over where the talks should be held.
stay
The court dismissed defence appeals for a permanent stay of execution.
freeze
A wage freeze was imposed on all staff.
halt
Air traffic has been brought to a halt.
suspension
the suspension of flights between London and Manchester
respite
Devaluation would only give the economy brief respite.
standstill
Production is more or less at a standstill.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of freeze
Definition
the fixing of incomes, prices, etc. by legislation
A wage freeze was imposed on all staff.
Synonyms
fix,
hold,
halt,
suspension,
standstill
in the sense of halt
Definition
a temporary standstill
Air traffic has been brought to a halt.
Synonyms
stop,
end,
close,
break,
stand,
arrest,
pause,
interruption,
impasse,
standstill,
stoppage,
termination
in the sense of respite
Definition
a temporary delay
Devaluation would only give the economy brief respite.
Synonyms
reprieve,
stay,
delay,
suspension,
moratorium,
postponement,
adjournment
Nearby words of
moratorium
morale
morality
morass
moratorium
morbid
mordant
more
Synonyms of 'moratorium'
moratorium
Explore 'moratorium' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of standstill
Definition
a complete stoppage or halt
Production is more or less at a standstill.
Synonyms
halt,
stop,
stand
in the sense of stay
Definition
the postponement of an order of a court of law
The court dismissed defence appeals for a permanent stay of execution.
Synonyms
postponement,
delay,
suspension,
stopping,
halt,
pause,
reprieve,
remission,
deferment
in the sense of suspension
Definition
the delaying or stopping temporarily of something
the suspension of flights between London and Manchester