hiatus

[ hahy-ey-tuhs ]

noun

, plural hi·a·tus·es, hi·a·tus.

1. a break or interruption in the continuity of a work, series, action, etc.
2. a missing part; gap or lacuna:

   Scholars attempted to account for the hiatus in the medieval manuscript.

3. any gap or opening.

   Synonyms: space, interval, break

4. Grammar, Prosody. the coming together, with or without break or slight pause, and without contraction, of two vowels in successive words or syllables, as in see easily.
5. Anatomy. a natural fissure, cleft, or foramen in a bone or other structure.

hiatus

/ haɪˈeɪtəs /

noun

1. (esp in manuscripts) a break or gap where something is missing
2. a break or interruption in continuity
3. a break between adjacent vowels in the pronunciation of a word
4. anatomy a natural opening or aperture; foramen
5. anatomy a less common word for vulva

Derived Forms

• hiˈatal, adjective

Other Words From

• hi·atal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of hiatus¹

First recorded in 1555–65; from Latin hiātus “opening, gap,” equivalent to hiā(re) “to gape, open” + -tus, noun suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of hiatus¹

C16: from Latin: gap, cleft, aperture, from hiāre to gape, yawn

Example Sentences

Scott’s “Gladiator II” from Paramount Pictures is the latest sequel to return after a decades-long hiatus.

From Los Angeles Times

Members start training weekly in August until the marathon in March, and then the group takes a hiatus until the next August.

From Los Angeles Times

Udall said Trump’s win will likely mean rolling back the Biden administration’s historic climate initiatives and imposing a four-year hiatus on U.S. efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions domestically and abroad.

From Los Angeles Times

After a brief hiatus, Trump reactivated his steady stream of fundraising emails to supporters and resumed holding his carnival-like outdoor rallies.

From BBC

Scissor Sisters, one of pop's most colourful bands, have announced they are reuniting, 12 years after declaring an "indefinite hiatus" live on stage.

From BBC

Related Words

• interval
• lapse