1.NounAn authorization to a debtor, permitting temporary suspension of payments. .mw-parser-output .defdate{font-size:smaller}
2.NounA suspension of an ongoing activity.
"Canada may put a moratorium on cloning for research."
3.NounA period of delay granted to someone, especially an adolescent or young adult, during which they are not yet required to take on adult obligations or make permanent commitments; an extended phase of identity exploration.