intermission

[ in-ter-mish-uhn ]

noun

1. a short interval between the acts of a play or parts of a public performance, usually a period of approximately 10 or 15 minutes, allowing the performers and audience a rest.
2. a period during which action temporarily ceases; an interval between periods of action or activity:

   They studied for hours without an intermission.

3. the act or fact of intermitting; state of being intermitted:

   to work without intermission.

intermission

/ ˌɪntəˈmɪʃən /

noun

1. an interval, as between parts of a film
2. a period between events or activities; pause
3. the act of intermitting or the state of being intermitted

Derived Forms

• ˌinterˈmissive, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of intermission¹

1400–50; late Middle English < Latin intermissiōn- (stem of intermissiō ) interruption, equivalent to intermiss ( us ) (past participle of intermittere to intermit ) + -iōn- -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of intermission¹

C16: from Latin intermissiō, from intermittere to leave off, intermit

Example Sentences

“It’s time to get out of the rabbit hole and take an intermission.”

From Los Angeles Times

Not to be deterred, Pence tried again on December 21, when he “‘encouraged’ the defendant ‘not to look at the election ‘as a loss — just an intermission.’”

From Salon

Around intermission of the second show of the day, about a half hour until the Globe of Death act, the sun sets over the lot in Folsom.

From Los Angeles Times

I was seriously wondering if he was going to come back out onto the stage after the commercial break/intermission.

From Salon

When “Dragon Lady” becomes more of a conventional solo piece after intermission, a showcase for Porkalob to flex her versatility as an actor, the effect isn’t quite as powerful.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• interruption
• interval
• lull