interval

noun

in·​ter·​val ˈin-tər-vəl 

plural intervals

1

a

: a space of time between events or states

a two-month interval between medical treatments

There were long intervals during the game in which nothing exciting happened.

b

British : intermission

There was a twenty minute interval between acts two and three.

2

: the difference in pitch between two tones

3

: a space between objects, units, points, or states

The posts were set up at regular intervals along the road.

4

: one of a series of fast-paced or intense physical exercises alternated with slower or less intense ones or brief rests for training (as of an athlete) see also interval training

5

: a set of real numbers between two numbers either including or excluding one or both of them

intervallic

ˌin-tər-ˈva-lik 

adjective

Synonyms

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

Examples of interval in a Sentence

a three-month interval between jobs

There might be long intervals during which nothing happens.

The sun shone for brief intervals throughout the day.

There will be a 20-minute interval between acts one and two.

Recent Examples on the Web

In the 114-minute interval between Olympic competitions, what did Leon Marchand do? —Catherine D Henry, Forbes, 17 Sep. 2024

Estimating time of death, also called the post-mortem interval, is a complex task. —Discover Magazine, 12 Sep. 2024

There’s now an extraction mechanism that gives teams the option to cut-and-run with a sense of achievement after enough intervals rather than simply compete until their inevitable doom. —Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 11 Sep. 2024

The initial live viewing for the finale was included in the last interval’s total, so this number represents long tail viewing. —Katie Campione, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English intervalle, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French entreval, from Latin intervallum space between ramparts, interval, from inter- + vallum rampart — more at wall

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing interval

• class interval
• confidence interval
• high-intensity interval training
• interval training

Kids Definition

interval

noun

in·​ter·​val ˈint-ər-vəl 

1

: a period of time between events or states : pause

a three-month interval

the interval between elections

2

: a space between things

the interval between two desks

3

: difference in pitch between tones

Medical Definition

interval

noun

in·​ter·​val ˈint-ər-vəl 

: a space of time between events or states

intervals between pregnancies