interval

[ in-ter-vuhl ]

noun

1. an intervening period of time:

   an interval of 50 years.

2. a period of temporary cessation; pause:

   intervals between the volleys of gunfire.

3. a space between things, points, limits, etc.; interspace:

   an interval of ten feet between posts.

   Synonyms: gulf, separation, gap, opening

4. Mathematics.
   1. the totality of points on a line between two designated points or endpoints that may or may not be included.
   2. any generalization of this to higher dimensions, as a rectangle with sides parallel to the coordinate axes.
5. the space between soldiers or units in military formation.
6. Music. the difference in pitch between two tones, as between two tones sounded simultaneously harmonic interval or between two tones sounded successively melodic interval.
7. Chiefly New England. intervale.
8. Cards. a period in a game for placing bets.
9. British. an intermission, as between the acts of a play.

interval

/ ˈɪntəvəl; ˌɪntəˈvælɪk /

noun

1. the period of time marked off by or between two events, instants, etc
2. the distance between two points, objects, etc
3. a pause or interlude, as between periods of intense activity
4. a short period between parts of a play, concert, film, etc; intermission
5. music the difference of pitch between two notes, either sounded simultaneously ( harmonic interval ) or in succession as in a musical part ( melodic interval ). An interval is calculated by counting the (inclusive) number of notes of the diatonic scale between the two notes

   the interval between C and G is a fifth

6. the ratio of the frequencies of two sounds
7. maths the set containing all real numbers or points between two given numbers or points, called the endpoints. A closed interval includes the endpoints, but an open interval does not
8. at intervals
   1. occasionally or intermittently
   2. with spaces between

Derived Forms

• intervallic, adjective

Other Words From

• in·ter·val·ic in·ter·val·lic [in-ter-, val, -ik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of interval¹

1250–1300; Middle English intervall ( e ) < Latin intervallum interval, literally, space between two palisades. See inter-, wall

Word History and Origins

Origin of interval¹

C13: from Latin intervallum, literally: space between two palisades, from inter- + vallum palisade, rampart

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. at intervals,
   1. at particular periods of time; now and then:

      At intervals, there were formal receptions at the governor's mansion.

   2. at particular places, with gaps in between:

      detour signs at intervals along the highway.

Example Sentences

A long interval between film installments doesn’t always matter to audiences.

From Los Angeles Times

Van Nistelrooy accepted a first half in which United made "many technical mistakes" and had one shot on goal "wasn’t good", but Amad made the difference after the interval.

From BBC

But I also realized that stairways are great interval training.”

From Los Angeles Times

A similar interval after Carson’s last show, his ghost still lingers, and not just because of YouTube, where the icon’s estate has curated his clips.

From Los Angeles Times

It was an interval in which truths needed to be spoken, and failings fixed.

From BBC

Related Words

• hiatus
• intermission
• interruption
• layoff
• lull
• spell