moratorium

plural moratoriums · plural moratoria

1. lawAn authorization to a debtor, permitting temporary suspension of payments.First known use 19th c.
2. A suspension of an ongoing activity.First known use 20th c.

   Canada may put a moratorium on cloning for research.

   3 more examples

   It so happened that at that time the moratorium on the death penalty caused by the Supreme Court decision in the Furman case was still in effect.

   1990, Gerhard Falk, Murder, an Analysis of its Forms, Conditions, and Causes, McFarland

   If such a pause cannot be enacted quickly, governments should step in and institute a moratorium.

   2023 March 22, “Pause Giant AI Experiments: An Open Letter”, in Future of Life Institute

   Proponents of an AI moratorium had argued that a patchwork of state and local AI laws is hindering progress in the AI industry and the ability of U.S. firms to compete with China.

   2025 July 1, Matt Brown and Matt O'Brien, “Senate strikes AI regulatory ban from GOP bill after uproar from the states”, in AP News

   Synonyms: hiatus

3. human sciencesA period of delay granted to someone, especially an adolescent or young adult, during which they are not yet required to take on adult obligations or make permanent commitments; an extended phase of identity exploration.First known use Coined by developmental psychologist Erik Erikson.