Definition

1. 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

1. suspension of an ongoing activity
2. a legally authorized postponement before some obligation must be discharged