(sus) suspended chord

Definition: A suspended chord is a chord whose third has been replaced by a perfect fourth* or, less commonly, a major second.

For example, a G major triad (G - B - D) has a root, a major third, and a perfect fifth. Compare this to the common Gsus chords:

• Gsus4
  
    ♦ Root: G
    ♦ P4: C
    ♦ P5: D


• Gsus2**
  
    ♦ Root: G
    ♦ M2: A
    ♦ P5: D

Larger suspended chords also exist; among the more common is the dominant 7/4, which includes a minor seventh interval:

• G7^sus4
  
    ♦ Root: G
    ♦ P4: C
    ♦ P5: D
    ♦ m7: F
  

<sub>* When the P4 replaces a third, it is referred to as a “suspended fourth.”

** Suspended second chords are almost always referred to as such, while sus4 chords are often called “suspended chords” informally.</sub>