suspension

A temporary stop in an activity, service, or process.

• The suspension lasted three days.
• They announced a suspension of all flights.
• A temporary suspension of trading followed the news.

How to use it: suspension of something (The storm caused the suspension of ferry services.)

Similar words: pause, interruption, halt

Opposites: resumption

Common phrases: temporary suspension, suspension of something

A punishment that temporarily prevents someone from attending school or taking part in an activity.

• His suspension ends on Monday.
• She received a three-day suspension for fighting.
• The parents challenged their son’s suspension from school.

How to use it: suspension from something (The student received a suspension from school.)

Common phrases: school suspension, suspension from school

The parts between a vehicle’s body and wheels that reduce shaking when it travels over uneven ground.

• The car needs new suspension.
• Better suspension makes the ride more comfortable.
• The mechanic checked the rear suspension after the accident.

Common phrases: car suspension, front suspension, suspension system

The act or state of hanging something from above.

• The cable allows suspension from above.
• We checked the ropes used for suspension of the platform.
• The lamp needs a stronger suspension system.

How to use it: suspension of something from something (The suspension of the lamp from a hook saved space.)

Similar words: hanging

Common phrases: suspension cable, suspension from something

A mixture with tiny solid pieces floating in a liquid rather than becoming part of it.

• Shake the suspension before use.
• Tiny particles remained in suspension for several hours.
• The laboratory prepared a suspension of clay in water.

How to use it: in suspension (Fine clay particles remain in suspension in the water.)

Common phrases: in suspension, a liquid suspension, oral suspension

A note held into the next chord, briefly sounding as if it does not belong before changing.

• The suspension creates musical tension.
• She held the note to form a suspension.
• The composer resolves the suspension in the next chord.

Common phrases: a musical suspension, resolve a suspension