moratorium
noun
mor·a·to·ri·um
ˌmȯr-ə-ˈtȯr-ē-əm 
ˌmär-
plural moratoriums or moratoria
ˌmȯr-ə-ˈtȯr-ē-ə
ˌmär-
1
a
: a legally authorized period of delay in the performance of a legal obligation or the payment of a debt
b
: a waiting period set by an authority
2
: a suspension of activity
Synonyms
Examples of moratorium in a Sentence
In 2000, Illinois declared a moratorium on executions after 13 death-row inmates were exonerated.
—
Evan Thomas et al., Newsweek, 19 Nov. 2007
But one country's moratorium is another country's protectionism, and the U.S. is suspicious of Europe's actions.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 13 Sept. 1999
The striped bass are recovering strongly after a moratorium on catching them.
—John P. Wiley, Jr., Smithsonian, November 1993
Her office was crammed with ungraded school papers, some of them dating back five years. She was far behind in her work—so far behind that she had declared a moratorium on school work until she could catch up on her grading.
—Kurt Vonnegut, Jr., The Sirens of Titan, 1959
The treaty calls for a nuclear testing moratorium.
the director of the blood bank called for a moratorium in donations until the surplus could be used up
Evan Thomas et al., Newsweek, 19 Nov. 2007
But one country's moratorium is another country's protectionism, and the U.S. is suspicious of Europe's actions.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 13 Sept. 1999
The striped bass are recovering strongly after a moratorium on catching them.
—John P. Wiley, Jr., Smithsonian, November 1993
Her office was crammed with ungraded school papers, some of them dating back five years. She was far behind in her work—so far behind that she had declared a moratorium on school work until she could catch up on her grading.
—Kurt Vonnegut, Jr., The Sirens of Titan, 1959
The treaty calls for a nuclear testing moratorium.
the director of the blood bank called for a moratorium in donations until the surplus could be used up
Recent Examples on the Web
In 2021, the Pinole City Council adopted a resolution declaring a Climate Emergency, which laid the groundwork for the city’s Climate Action and Adaptation Plan and the moratorium on gas stations.
—Sierra Lopez, The Mercury News, 9 Apr. 2024
And, as the pandemic has already proven, more and more people are facing homelessness as eviction moratorium expires and rental assistance dries up.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 8 Apr. 2024
Fort Worth renters, shielded by pandemic eviction moratoriums and cushioned by rent subsidies, received 19,505 notices to vacate in 2020.
—Jaime Moore-Carrillo, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Mar. 2024
The move comes five years after Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order that imposed a moratorium on the death penalty and closed the prison’s execution chamber.
—Hannah Wiley, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2024
Council members last year directed funding away from one Interfaith shelter and recently voted to explore a moratorium on homelessness services in and around downtown, part of a broader policy overhaul that puts more focus on sobriety.
—Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Mar. 2024
West has suggested the country nationalize the fossil fuel industry, declare a climate emergency, impose a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing for natural gas and pause lease sales for drilling on federal lands and water.
—Dipka Bhambhani, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024
Yet he’s now joined forces with state Representative Humphrey to campaign for a moratorium on the death penalty.
—Riley Robinson, The Christian Science Monitor, 18 Feb. 2024
In a move to pressure the city to zone for more affordable housing, a restrictive ruling by a Superior Court judge put a moratorium on Beverly Hills‘ right to approve any new home additions or project proposals by residents pending the approval of new homes for lower-income locals.
—Kevin Dolak, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Feb. 2024
Sierra Lopez, The Mercury News, 9 Apr. 2024
And, as the pandemic has already proven, more and more people are facing homelessness as eviction moratorium expires and rental assistance dries up.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 8 Apr. 2024
Fort Worth renters, shielded by pandemic eviction moratoriums and cushioned by rent subsidies, received 19,505 notices to vacate in 2020.
—Jaime Moore-Carrillo, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Mar. 2024
The move comes five years after Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order that imposed a moratorium on the death penalty and closed the prison’s execution chamber.
—Hannah Wiley, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2024
Council members last year directed funding away from one Interfaith shelter and recently voted to explore a moratorium on homelessness services in and around downtown, part of a broader policy overhaul that puts more focus on sobriety.
—Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Mar. 2024
West has suggested the country nationalize the fossil fuel industry, declare a climate emergency, impose a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing for natural gas and pause lease sales for drilling on federal lands and water.
—Dipka Bhambhani, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024
Yet he’s now joined forces with state Representative Humphrey to campaign for a moratorium on the death penalty.
—Riley Robinson, The Christian Science Monitor, 18 Feb. 2024
In a move to pressure the city to zone for more affordable housing, a restrictive ruling by a Superior Court judge put a moratorium on Beverly Hills‘ right to approve any new home additions or project proposals by residents pending the approval of new homes for lower-income locals.
—Kevin Dolak, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'moratorium.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near moratorium
Cite this Entry
“Moratorium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/moratorium. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
moratorium
noun
mor·a·to·ri·um
ˌmȯr-ə-ˈtōr-ē-əm
ˌmär-,
-ˈtȯr-
plural moratoriums or moratoria
-ē-ə
1
: a legally approved period of delay in the payment of a debt or the performance of a duty
2
: ban entry 2 sense 2, suspension
a moratorium on atomic testing
Legal Definition
moratorium
noun
mor·a·to·ri·um
ˌmȯr-ə-ˈtȯr-ē-əm
plural moratoriums; plural moratoria
1
a
: an authorized period of delay in the performance of an obligation (as the paying of a debt)
b
: a waiting period set by an authority
2
: a suspension of activity
Etymology
New Latin, from Late Latin, neuter of moratorius dilatory, from morari to delay, from mora delay
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