Suspendable interrupts are described that allow a processor to remain in an idle state for a longer period of time. Each suspendable interrupt defines a maximum delay value that specifies the maximum delay software associated with the interrupt can wait between a receipt of an interrupt signal associated with the suspendable interrupt and raising the interrupt for servicing by the software. The delay value allows suspendable interrupts to be masked when a processor is placed in the idle state if they can be dealt with at a next scheduled wake time of the processor, allowing the processor to potentially remain in the idle state for a longer period of time.