/mawr'euh tawr"ee euhm, -tohr"-, mor'-/ , n. , pl. moratoria /-tawr"ee euh, -tohr"-/ , moratoriums .
1. a suspension of activity: a moratorium on the testing of nuclear weapons.
2. a legally authorized period to delay payment of money due or the performance of some other legal obligation, as in an emergency.
3. an authorized period of delay or waiting.
[ 1870-75; moratorium, n. use of neut. of moratorius MORATORY ]