pause, suspension, intermission, interruption, break - a time interval during which there is a temporary cessation of something

extension - a mutually agreed delay in the date set for the completion of a job or payment of a debt; "they applied for an extension of the loan"

moratorium - a legally authorized postponement before some obligation must be discharged

retardation - the extent to which something is delayed or held back

delay, holdup - the act of delaying; inactivity resulting in something being put off until a later time

adjournment - the act of postponing to another time or place

prorogation - discontinuing the meetings (of a legislative body) without dissolving it