moratorium
/,mɔrə'tɔ:riəm/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A temporary suspension of an ongoing activity: A "moratorium" is an official authorization to stop or delay a particular process or activity for a defined period.
- A legally authorized postponement before some obligation must be discharged: In legal and financial contexts, it specifically refers to a period during which debtors are legally permitted to delay payment.
Usage and Examples
- General Suspension:
- The government declared a moratorium on all new construction in the coastal zone.
- Scientists have called for a global moratorium on gene-editing experiments in humans.
- Legal/Financial Postponement:
- The bank agreed to a six-month moratorium on the loan repayments.
- During the economic crisis, a moratorium on foreclosures was put in place.
Advanced Usage
- "To impose/lift a moratorium on something": This is the standard collocation for starting or ending a suspension.
- The city council voted to impose a moratorium on drilling.
- They plan to lift the fishing moratorium next season.
- "To be under a moratorium": Describes the state of being suspended.
- All mining activity in the region is currently under a moratorium.
Variants and Related Words
- Moratoria (n): The less common plural form of "moratorium."
- Several debt moratoria were announced during the recession.
Synonyms
- Suspension: A temporary prevention or stopping of an activity.
- Freeze: An official and complete stop for a period.
- Hiatus: A pause or break in continuity.
- Stay (legal): A temporary stopping of a judicial proceeding or obligation.
Antonyms
- Continuation: The act of carrying on.
- Resumption: The act of beginning again.
Related Phrases and Idioms
- "De facto moratorium": A suspension that exists in practice or effect without being officially declared.
- There has been a de facto moratorium on new permits while the policy is reviewed.
Noun
- suspension of an ongoing activity
- a legally authorized postponement before some obligation must be discharged