moratorium

noun3

1. •
   An authorization to a debtor, permitting temporary suspension of payments.
2. •
   A suspension of an ongoing activity.

   • Canada may put a moratorium on cloning for research.
3. •
   A 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.