moratorium
What does "moratorium" mean?
A moratorium is an official, temporary suspension or authorized delay of a specific activity or process. Imagine a "pause button" pressed on a project, a debt payment, or a legislative action, creating a breathing space for reflection or restructuring. The word is most commonly used in legal, financial, or political contexts. It implies a formal agreement or rule rather than just a casual delay, and it almost always suggests that the activity will eventually resume once the specified time period or condition has passed.
"moratorium" in conversation
Office meeting about a project
Are we still moving forward with the new software rollout?
Are we still moving forward with the new software rollout?
Not for now. Management placed a moratorium on all new tech spending until next quarter.
Not for now. Management placed a moratorium on all new tech spending until next quarter.
Shows the usage of 'placing a moratorium' on a business activity.
Discussing local zoning laws
Why did they stop building the new apartments downtown?
Why did they stop building the new apartments downtown?
The city council declared a moratorium on new construction permits to assess the traffic impact.
The city council declared a moratorium on new construction permits to assess the traffic impact.
Highlights how governments use this to pause development.
"moratorium" in a sentence
The country declared a moratorium on fishing to protect the local population.
The country declared a moratorium on fishing to protect the local population.
The bank offered a six-month moratorium on mortgage repayments for those affected by the crisis.
The bank offered a six-month moratorium on mortgage repayments for those affected by the crisis.
International scientists have called for a global moratorium on genetic editing experiments until the ethical implications are fully understood.
International scientists have called for a global moratorium on genetic editing experiments until the ethical implications are fully understood.
