moratorium
ˌmɒrəˈtɔːriəm
noun
Origin
Latin
moratorium — a delaying period; something that causes delay
Overview
Meaning Now
- A temporary suspension of activity, action, or legal enforcement.
- An officially authorized delay or pause, especially in finance, law, or government.
Literal older meaning
a delaying period; a postponement
Language path
Latin → English
Earliest form
moratorium
Earliest period
Early 17th century
Journey
In English, moratorium became especially common in legal, governmental, and financial contexts to name a formally announced pause in enforcement, payment, debt collection, or a controversial activity. It later broadened to mean any temporary freeze or pause.
Evolution
- Latin
moratorium
“a delaying period; a postponement”
Learned legal noun from morari “to delay, linger,” ultimately from mora “delay.”
- Early Modern English
moratorium
“a temporary legal suspension”
Adopted in legal and scholarly writing, especially for official delays.
- Modern English
moratorium
“a temporary halt or suspension”
Extended beyond law to public policy, finance, and general usage.
Connections
Word parts
mor-
root
delay
-atorium
suffix
place or thing connected with an action; here, a delaying period
Related across languages
French
moratoire
moratorium; suspension
Spanish
moratoria
moratorium; suspension
Italian
moratoria
moratorium; suspension
Portuguese
moratória
moratorium; suspension
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Related to moratorium
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.