intermission

noun

in·​ter·​mis·​sion ˌin-tər-ˈmi-shən 

1

: an interval between the parts of an entertainment (such as the acts of a play)

2

: the act of intermitting : the state of being intermitted

intermissionless adjective

Synonyms

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

Examples of intermission in a Sentence

We'll return after a brief intermission.

an awkward intermission between speeches

Recent Examples on the Web

After a lengthy intermission, Steel was then instructed to serve his 20 days across the next 10 weekends. —Marc Griffin, VIBE.com, 14 June 2024

That’s just the set-up for the game afoot in Jeffrey Hatcher’s intricate 85-minute, intermission free theatrical Rubik’s Cube. —Christopher Smith, Orange County Register, 5 June 2024

For key officials in the George W. Bush administration, the intervention’s underlying rationale was to conclude the 1990–91 Gulf War after an unsatisfying 12-year intermission. —James A. Schear, Foreign Affairs, 17 Apr. 2014

Florida enters the second intermission tied 1-1 with Edmonton despite a 22-7 lead in shots on goal. —Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 11 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English intermyssyown, from Latin intermission-, intermissio, from intermittere

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

intermission

noun

in·​ter·​mis·​sion ˌint-ər-ˈmish-ən 

1

: pause entry 1 sense 1, interruption

work without intermission

2

: a pause or interval between the parts of an entertainment (as the acts of a play)

Medical Definition

intermission

noun

in·​ter·​mis·​sion ˌint-ər-ˈmish-ən 

: the space of time between two paroxysms of a disease compare arrest, cure entry 1 sense 1, remission