HomeServicesBlogDictionariesContactSpanish Course
← Back to search

Meaning of abeyance | Babel Free

Noun CEFR B2
/əˈbeɪ.ən(t)s/

Definitions

  1. Expectancy; a condition when an ownership of real property is undetermined; lapse in succession of ownership of estate, or title.
    countable, uncountable
  2. Suspension; temporary suppression; dormant condition.
    countable, uncountable
  3. Expectancy of a noble or armigeral title, its right in existence but its exercise suspended.
    countable, uncountable

Translations

Examples

“The proceeds of the estate shall be held in abeyance in an escrow account until the minor reaches age twenty-one.”
“Yet sometimes the fee may be in abeyance, that is (as the word signifies) in expectation, remembrance, and contemplation in law; there being no person in esse, in whom it can vest and abide […]”
“Note: Under the Antarctic Treaty of 1959 all territorial claims are held under abeyance in the interest of international co-operation for scientific purposes.”
“Without a plausible explanation for what might have provoked an ice age, the whole theory fell into abeyance.”
“[...] Prosser was instrumental in the decision in 2010 to recommence publication of an annual health and safety report, following a period when it had fallen into abeyance.”
“The palace had previously that the duke’s military appointments were in abeyance after he stepped down from public duties in 2019.”
“Friday’s announcement that Andrew’s dukedom, other titles and his Order of the Garter knighthood would be put in abeyance with immediate effect – extant but inactive, much as his HRH title has been since the Virginia Giuffre scandal broke six years ago – may be seen by some within Buckingham Palace as a solution.”
“The broad pennant of a commodore first class has been in abeyance since 1958, together with the rank.”

CEFR level

B2
Upper Intermediate
This word is part of the CEFR B2 vocabulary — upper intermediate level.

See also

Learn this word in context

See abeyance used in real conversations inside our free language course.

Start Free Course