abeyance

noun

abey·​ance ə-ˈbā-ən(t)s How to pronounce abeyance (audio)
1
: a state of temporary inactivity : suspension
used chiefly in the phrase in abeyance
… new contracts on all but one existing mine … are in abeyance pending the outcome of a government inquiry to be carried out into Australia's role in the nuclear fuel cycle.Vimala Sarma
a plan that is currently being held in abeyance
2
: a lapse in succession during which there is no person in whom a title is vested
an estate in abeyance
abeyant adjective

Did you know?

When should you use abeyance?

Abeyance comes from Old French baer, meaning "to have the mouth wide open," which was joined with the prefix a- to form abaer, a verb meaning "to open wide," and, in later Anglo-French usage, "to expect or await." There followed Anglo-French abeyance, which referred to a state of expectation—specifically, a person's expectation of inheriting a title or property. The word, in English, was then applied for the expectation to the property itself: a property or title "in abeyance" is in temporary limbo, waiting to be claimed by a rightful heir or owner.

Examples of abeyance in a Sentence

our weekend plans were held in abeyance until we could get a weather forecast
Recent Examples on the Web Cuba could no longer compete when Fidel Castro banned professional baseball in 1961, and the series went into abeyance. Dominic Pino, National Review, 6 Feb. 2024 And Chinese titles have come to dominate the country’s own theatrical and streaming markets to such a point that the long-standing import quotas may have fallen into abeyance. Patrick Frater, Variety, 3 Jan. 2024 Chutkan has formally held the case in abeyance despite Smith’s attempts to nudge it along in hopes of getting Trump convicted before Election Day. Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review, 3 Feb. 2024 Humidity, with an ability to create discomfort that can be hard to quantify, seemed in abeyance. Martin Weil, Washington Post, 4 Sep. 2023 The plea will be held in abeyance for three years, at which time the charge will be entered as a Class A misdemeanor as long as Paul abides by the terms of her the plea agreement, according to court documents. Jordan Miller, The Salt Lake Tribune, 29 Aug. 2023 However, the Senate will hold this article in abeyance and take up the other allegations first. Lauren McGaughy, Dallas News, 17 Aug. 2023 Last week, the former Utah star entered a plea in abeyance in his last open case. Kevin Reynolds, The Salt Lake Tribune, 18 July 2023 That's not to say any new solution would have arisen in the Marvell-Elaine district or that the petitioners would get their requisite signatures to hold the law in abeyance until November 2024. John Brummett, Arkansas Online, 5 July 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'abeyance.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Anglo-French abeyaunce "absence of a claimant or owner, lapse in succession," from abaer, abair "to open wide" (from a-, prefix in transitive verbs—from Latin ad- ad- — + baer, baier "to have the mouth wide open, gape, pant," from Vulgar Latin *batāre, perhaps of imitative origin) + -ance -ance

First Known Use

circa 1530, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of abeyance was circa 1530

Podcast

Dictionary Entries Near abeyance

Cite this Entry

“Abeyance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abeyance. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

abeyance

noun
abey·​ance ə-ˈbā-ən(t)s How to pronounce abeyance (audio)
: a temporary interruption of activity
plans held in abeyance
abeyant adjective

Medical Definition

abeyance

noun
abey·​ance ə-ˈbā-ən(t)s How to pronounce abeyance (audio)
: temporary inactivity or suspension (as of function or a symptom)

Legal Definition

abeyance

noun
abey·​ance ə-ˈbā-əns How to pronounce abeyance (audio)
1
: a lapse in the succession of property during which there is no person in whom title to the property is vested
usually used with in
the estate was in abeyance
2
: temporary inactivity or suppression : cessation or suspension for a period of time
usually used with in or into
to hold the entry of summary judgment in abeyanceJ. H. Friedenthal et al.
Etymology

Middle French abeance expectation (of a title or claimant), from abaer to expect, from a-, prefix stressing result + baer to gape, aim at

More from Merriam-Webster on abeyance

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!