moratorium
Meaning: A temporary suspension or prohibition of an activity, especially one imposed by law or authority.
Moratorium describes a deliberate pause — a period during which a particular activity is officially halted to allow time for review, negotiation, or resolution of problems. It is used in politics, law, business, and science. Common examples include a moratorium on nuclear testing, a moratorium on debt repayments, or a moratorium on new building. The word implies that the suspension is temporary and purposeful, not permanent. Common collocations include 'impose a moratorium,' 'declare a moratorium,' 'a moratorium on,' and 'lift a moratorium.'
Examples
- The government imposed a moratorium on the sale of arms to the region pending the outcome of the peace negotiations. 政府在和平谈判结果出来之前,对该地区的武器销售实施了暂停令。El gobierno impuso una moratoria sobre la venta de armas a la región a la espera del resultado de las negociaciones de paz.政府は和平交渉の結果が出るまで、同地域への武器販売にモラトリアムを課した。정부는 평화 협상 결과가 나올 때까지 해당 지역에 대한 무기 판매에 모라토리엄을 부과했다.
- Environmental groups called for an immediate moratorium on deep-sea oil drilling in the North Atlantic. 环保团体呼吁立即暂停北大西洋的深海石油钻探。Los grupos ecologistas exigieron una moratoria inmediata sobre la perforación petrolífera en aguas profundas del Atlántico Norte.環境保護団体は北大西洋での深海石油掘削の即時モラトリアムを求めた。환경보호 단체들은 북대서양에서의 심해 석유 시추에 대한 즉각적인 모라토리엄을 요구했다.
- The bank agreed to a temporary moratorium on debt repayments while the struggling business restructured its finances. 银行同意在这家陷入困境的企业重组财务期间,暂时暂停债务偿还。El banco accedió a una moratoria temporal en el pago de la deuda mientras la empresa en dificultades reestructuraba sus finanzas.銀行は、経営難に陥った企業が財務を再編する間、債務返済の一時的なモラトリアムに同意した。은행은 경영난에 빠진 기업이 재무 구조를 개편하는 동안 채무 상환에 대한 일시적 모라토리엄에 동의했다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: media, legal, academic
Tone: neutral
Origin & History
From late Latin moratorium (a thing that delays), neuter of moratorius (delaying), from Latin morari (to delay), from mora (a delay, pause). The word entered English in the nineteenth century, initially in a legal and financial context.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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