Suspend

Definition

Suspend generally refers to the temporary stopping or halting of something, or the act of hanging something from above.

Parts of Speech

• Verb
• Transitive Verb
• Intransitive Verb

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /səˈspɛnd/
• Respelling: suh-SPEND (with "suh" as a schwa sound like the 'u' in "supply," and "SPEND" as in "spend")

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /səˈspɛnd/
• Respelling: suh-SPEND (similar to American English, with "suh" as in "supply," and "SPEND" like in "spend")

In both dialects, "suspend" is pronounced with the primary stress on the second syllable, "SPEND." The pronunciation of "suspend" is consistent between American and British English, clearly reflecting the word's straightforward phonetic structure.

Etymology

The term "suspend" comes from the Latin word “suspendere,” where 'sub-' means from below and '-pendere' means to hang. Its use in the English language dates back to the 13th century.

Derivatives

• Suspension (noun)
• Suspendable (adjective)
• Suspender (noun)
• Suspended (adjective)
• Suspensively (adverb)

Synonyms

• Halt
• Delay
• Postpone

Antonyms

• Continue
• Resume
• Proceed

Usage

The word "suspend" is widely used across various domains including education, employment, and engineering, to denote a temporary halt or pause, or the act of hanging something from above.

Related Terms

• Adjourn
• Postponement
• Moratorium
• Stay
• Deferment

Detailed Definition

Verb

• Temporary Halt: To temporarily stop or halt a process, action, or function.
• Example: The school decided to suspend in-person classes due to the snowstorm.

• Cease Officially: To officially prevent someone from continuing their role, job, or membership for a period of time.
• Example: The player was suspended for three games due to unsportsmanlike conduct.

Transitive Verb

• Hang: To hang something from somewhere so that it does not touch the ground.
• Example: She suspended the plants from the ceiling to give the room a fresh, green look.

Intransitive Verb

• Hang Down: To hang down from a height.
• Example: The vines suspended from the trellis created a beautiful green canopy.