a suspension of activity

a moratorium on the testing of nuclear weapons.

a legally authorized period to delay payment of money due or the performance of some other legal obligation, as in an emergency.

an authorized period of delay or waiting.

noun

abeyance , abeyancy , adjournment , ban , break , breather * , breathing spell , deferment , delay , downtime * , five * , freeze , grace period , halt , pause , postponement , reprieve , respite , stay , truce , cessation , suspension