transitive verb

1. to bar or exclude as a penalty from an office, school, position, etc., usually for a specified time; debar
2. to cause to cease or become inoperative for a time; stop temporarily to suspend train service, to suspend a rule
3. 1. to defer or hold back (judgment), as until more is known
   2. to hold in abeyance or defer action on (a sentence, etc.)
4. to hang by a support from above so as to allow free movement
5. to hold or keep (dust in the air, particles in a liquid, etc.) in suspension
6. Now Rare to keep in suspense, wonder, etc.
7. Music to continue (a note) into the following chord

Etymology: ME suspenden < OFr suspendre < L suspendere, to hang up < sus-, for sub-, sub- + pendere, to hang: see pend

intransitive verb

1. to stop temporarily
2. to withhold payment of debts or obligations, as through inability to pay