This effect occurs when a note from one chord is held over to the next chord creating a discord, and is then resolved by moving one step to make a concord.

In this example there is a suspension in the red boxed area in the second bar. The F note in the treble clef part is held over from the previous chord creating a discord on the 3rd beat. It resolves by moving down one step to an E note on the final beat.

Here is the same music without a suspension in the red boxed area in the second bar.

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