interlude

noun

in·​ter·​lude ˈin-tər-ˌlüd 

1

: an intervening or interruptive period, space, or event : interval

2

: a musical composition inserted between the parts of a longer composition, a drama, or a religious service

3

: a usually short simple play or dramatic entertainment

Synonyms

• discontinuity
• gap
• hiatus
• hiccup
• hiccough
• interim
• intermission
• interregnum
• interruption
• interstice
• interval
• parenthesis

Examples of interlude in a Sentence

She left for a brief interlude.

He has resumed his acting career after a two-year interlude.

They always met in the city for their romantic interludes.

a drama with musical interludes

Recent Examples on the Web

The evening includes a brief mid-set interlude where Wonder rests his voice and a 30-person gospel choir fills in for a few songs. —Caryn Rose, Variety, 23 Oct. 2024

The concerts, which include a Borsch Belt-style dance interlude from Cool, as well as a fly-over from a giant inflatable airplane amid copious pyro and other eye-popping effects, will run down to Australia in 2025 for a run of three March stadium shows with openers AFI. —Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 19 Sep. 2024

Vasti writes with a warm, whimsical voice, underscoring her hysterical interludes and cutting asides with a deep well of emotions. —Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 15 Aug. 2024

Of course, no cooking show with Rossdale would be complete without musical interludes. —Sabrina Weiss, People.com, 9 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English enterlude, from Medieval Latin interludium, from Latin inter- + ludus play — more at ludicrous

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Kids Definition

interlude

noun

in·​ter·​lude ˈint-ər-ˌlüd 

1

: a performance between the acts of a play

2

: an intervening period, space, or event : interval

3

: a musical composition inserted between the parts of a longer one, a drama, or a religious service