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

There’s also something comforting for audiences in seeing familiar faces on the screen, like Tom Cruise in 2022’s “Top Gun: Maverick,” which returned to the flyboy’s story after a 36-year hiatus, or Will Smith and Martin Lawrence in 2020’s “Bad Boys for Life,” which came 17 years after the franchise’s last installment.

From Los Angeles Times

But following personal battles between Stephens and the other half of the duo - Harley Alexander-Sule - Rizzle Kicks took a hiatus that ended up lasting eight years.

From BBC

Brad Udall, a climate scientist at Colorado State University, said that “at best, Trump’s win means a four-year hiatus on US domestic and international leadership on greenhouse gas reduction efforts. ... Unfortunately, the impacts are likely to last much longer than just four years given the way long-term investments and planning work in the energy sector.”

From Los Angeles Times

Returning to CBS Thursday after a hiatus, “Elsbeth” is centered on a character from the “Good Wife” universe, but the shows’ creators say the similarities end there.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• interval
• lapse