YOUR VOCABULARY, ONE WORD AT A TIME

moratorium

Noun

IPA /ˌmɒrəˈtɔːriəm/

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Meaning in plain English

An officially agreed temporary halt to an activity.

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Pronunciation

moratorium/ˌmɒrəˈtɔːriəm/

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An activity is underway
An official temporary halt is agreed
The pause covers a limited period

A moratorium temporarily stops a specified activity by official agreement.

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The residents requested a moratorium on noisy work during the festival.
The organisation announced a moratorium on new purchases while it reviewed its budget.

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The residents requested a ________ on noisy work during the festival.

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moratorium — An officially agreed temporary halt to an activity.

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An officially agreed temporary halt to an activity.

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Word origin

From modern Latin moratorium, related to Latin morari, meaning to delay.

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A moratorium on something names the activity being paused.

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