diff --git a/doc_src/suspend.txt b/doc_src/suspend.txt
index 8b5dc16a1..43a4ca532 100644
--- a/doc_src/suspend.txt
+++ b/doc_src/suspend.txt
@@ -7,8 +7,11 @@ suspend [--force]
 
 \subsection suspend-description Description
 
-`suspend` suspends the current shell. In order to prevent suspending a
-shell that isn't a subshell, it will not suspend a shell if it is a
-login shell, or of `$SHLVLV` is less `$suspend_minimum_SHLVL`, which
-defaults to three. This test is skipped if the `--force` option is
-given or the shell is not interactive.
+`suspend` suspends execution of the current shell by sending it a
+SIGTSTP signal, returning to the controlling process. It can be
+resumed later by sending it a SIGCONT.  In order to prevent suspending
+a shell that doesn't have a controlling process, it will not suspend a
+the shell if it is a login shell or if `$SHLVLV` is less
+`$suspend_minimum_SHLVL`, which defaults to three. This test is
+skipped if the `--force` option is given or the shell is not
+interactive.