hiatus

[ hahy-ey-tuhs ]

noun

plural hiatuses, hiatus.

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 Word Forms

• 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

The Brits were being held in Mayrhofen, Austria, after a six-year hiatus for the full event because of the coronavirus pandemic.

From BBC

Black mentioned the long hiatus between hosting gigs and used it as an opportunity to first announce that he was stressed out and quitting the show.

From Los Angeles Times

In a statement, they said they had been "forced into hiatus".

From BBC

MPs welcomed the announcement, but said the delay had left families "in limbo", with some therapy stopped and services closed because of the hiatus.

From BBC

Years after entering the literary scene, Smith took a hiatus from writing to deal with family matters, including her mother’s death.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• interval
• lapse