suspend
C1Formal to neutral.
Definition
Meaning
to temporarily stop, delay, or cause to hang from above.
To officially prevent someone from participating in an activity, job, or institution for a fixed period; to temporarily cease or delay an action, operation, or condition; to hang something from a support so that it is free to move.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The meaning of 'delay' is often applied to abstract concepts like judgment or disbelief. The 'hanging' sense is more concrete. The disciplinary sense often implies a temporary, punitive halt.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minor. Both use all primary senses. 'Suspend' in an educational context (temporarily expel a student) is equally common.
Connotations
In legal contexts (e.g., 'suspend a sentence'), it has the same formal weight.
Frequency
Slightly more common in formal/administrative registers in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[suspend + object][suspend + object + from + object][suspend + object + for + period/reason]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Suspend disbelief (to accept something unreal for enjoyment)”
- “Hanging/suspended in mid-air”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
"The bank decided to suspend all loans to the sector."
Academic
"We must suspend our initial hypothesis until more data is available."
Everyday
"They suspended the football match due to heavy rain."
Technical
"The particles are suspended in a colloidal solution."
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The FA will suspend the goalkeeper for three matches.
- Services on this line are suspended until further notice.
- A mobile was suspended above the baby's cot.
American English
- The league suspended the player for violating drug policy.
- The company suspended dividends during the restructuring.
- Dust particles were suspended in the shaft of light.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A (not standard). The participle 'suspended' is used adjectivally, e.g., 'a suspended sentence', 'suspended animation'.
American English
- N/A (not standard). See British note.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The teacher suspended the class game until tomorrow.
- A single light bulb was suspended from the ceiling.
- The airline suspended all flights to the country.
- They decided to suspend the project due to lack of funding.
- The committee voted to suspend him from his duties pending an investigation.
- Clay particles remain suspended in the water, making it cloudy.
- The judge opted to suspend the custodial sentence, placing the offender on probation instead.
- One must suspend one's cultural assumptions to fully appreciate the narrative.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
SUSpend = SUDDENLY STOP UNDER SPECIAL circumstances.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONTINUITY IS A FABRIC/JOURNEY (suspending cuts the thread/halts the journey).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid using it for a simple 'hang' (повесить) in most contexts; 'suspend' implies hanging from a single point or free movement. Don't use it as a direct translation for 'отсрочить' in informal delay situations; 'postpone' or 'delay' is better.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: *'The meeting was suspended for 15 minutes' (if it's a scheduled short break, use 'adjourned'). Correct: 'The trial was suspended for two weeks.'
- Incorrect: *'He suspended his coat on the hook.' (use 'hung'). Correct: 'A lantern was suspended from a beam.'
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'suspend' used in its PHYSICAL/SCIENTIFIC sense?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, in its core meaning it implies a temporary halt. If something is permanent, words like 'terminate', 'ban', or 'expel' are used.
'Postpone' means to arrange for something to happen at a later time. 'Suspend' means to stop something temporarily, often unexpectedly or as a penalty, with no definite new date set.
Yes, but specifically it means to hang something so it is attached from above and free to move (e.g., 'suspend a chandelier'), not simply to place something on a hook.
It's a legal judgment where a convicted person does not have to serve their prison sentence immediately, provided they do not commit another crime during a specified period.