intermission

noun

in·​ter·​mis·​sion ˌin-tər-ˈmi-shən How to pronounce intermission (audio)
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

Examples of intermission in a Sentence

We'll return after a brief intermission. an awkward intermission between speeches
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
After trailing 10-9 at the end of the first quarter, the Aztecs took the lead for good at 16-13 on a 3-point jumper by Kaelyn Hamilton with 7 ¼ minutes to go to intermission. Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Mar. 2025 Mizzou was able to pad its lead further with a 7-0 run out of intermission. The Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 6 Mar. 2025 Archbishop Williams came out of the second intermission buzzing, though, and got the puck in a pinball-like scramble in front within the first two minutes. Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 3 Mar. 2025 And then that propulsive lead-up to the movie’s two-minute drive to intermission. Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for intermission

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of intermission was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Intermission.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intermission. Accessed 18 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

intermission

noun
in·​ter·​mis·​sion ˌint-ər-ˈmish-ən How to pronounce intermission (audio)
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 How to pronounce intermission (audio)
: the space of time between two paroxysms of a disease compare arrest, cure entry 1 sense 1, remission

More from Merriam-Webster on intermission

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