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suspension

noun
sus·​pen·​sion | \ sÉ™-ˈspen(t)-shÉ™n How to pronounce suspension (audio) \

Definition of suspension

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
2a : 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
Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about suspension

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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.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 The suspension adjusted for off-roading and highway driving, too. — Dallas News, "This round in Truck Wars goes to the 2020 Dodge Ram 1500 diesel," 23 Aug. 2019 Last school year, there were 145 disciplinary incidents or suspensions, up from 129 the year prior and 69 during the 2016-17 school year. — Andrew J. Campa, Burbank Leader, "Vaping ‘epidemic’ prompts Burbank Unified forum," 23 Aug. 2019 Both Renan Lodi and Angel Correa are serving suspensions, with Mario Hermoso expected to fill in for the former at left back. — SI.com, "Leganes vs Atletico Preview: Where to Watch, Buy Tickets, Live Stream, Kick Off Time & Team News," 22 Aug. 2019 The suspension adjusted for off-roading and highway driving, too. — Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press, "Ram 1500 diesel delivers whisper-quiet power and class-leading towing," 20 Aug. 2019 Hunt’s suspension -- and Duke Johnson’s departure -- should lead to Johnson making the final 53-man roster. — Scott Patsko, cleveland.com, "We can stop talking about Austin Corbett at right guard: Scott Patsko’s instant takeaways," 17 Aug. 2019 But the sudden suspension of the solo-travel programme, launched eight years ago, was still a surprise. — The Economist, "China is trying to browbeat Taiwan by keeping its tourists away," 8 Aug. 2019 Tight end Kedrick James, who faces a four-game NCAA suspension, left for SMU after competing for time in the spring. — Michael Casagrande | Mcasagrande@al.com, al, "What you need to know before Alabama opens football practice," 1 Aug. 2019 Quinlan said the five officers punishments had yet to be determined, but could include suspensions, demotions or terminations. — oregonlive.com, "Police officers who arrested Stormy Daniels at strip club are disciplined but department won’t say why," 1 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'suspension.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of suspension

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for suspension

Middle English suspensyon, from Anglo-French suspension, from Late Latin suspension-, suspensio, from Latin suspendere

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More Definitions for suspension

suspension

noun
How to pronounce suspension (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of suspension

: the act of forcing someone to leave a job, position, or place for a usually short period of time as a form of punishment : the act of suspending someone
: the act of stopping or delaying something for a usually short period of time
: the act of making something invalid or ineffective for a usually short period of time

See the full definition for suspension in the English Language Learners Dictionary

suspension

noun
sus·​pen·​sion | \ sÉ™-ˈspen-shÉ™n How to pronounce suspension (audio) \

Kids Definition of suspension

1 : the act of stopping, removing, or making someone or something ineffective for a time
2 : the state of being stopped, removed, or made ineffective for a time suspension of a game
3 : the period during which someone or something is stopped, removed, or made ineffective a two week suspension from school
4 : the act of hanging : the state of being hung
5 : the system of springs that support the upper part of a vehicle on the axles

suspension

noun
sus·​pen·​sion | \ sÉ™-ˈspen-chÉ™n How to pronounce suspension (audio) \

Medical Definition of suspension

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