interlude

noun

in·​ter·​lude ˈin-tər-ˌlüd 

1

: an intervening or interruptive period, space, or event : interval

2

: a musical composition inserted between the parts of a longer composition, a drama, or a religious service

3

: a usually short simple play or dramatic entertainment

Synonyms

• discontinuity
• gap
• hiatus
• hiccup
• hiccough
• interim
• intermission
• interregnum
• interruption
• interstice
• interval
• parenthesis

Examples of interlude in a Sentence

She left for a brief interlude.

He has resumed his acting career after a two-year interlude.

They always met in the city for their romantic interludes.

a drama with musical interludes

Recent Examples on the Web

Even if its narrative often drifts, particularly in the extended travel interludes, the poetic rhythms established by editors Yang Chao, Lin Xudong and Matthieu Laclau cast a spell for audiences willing to tune in to the film’s observational wavelength. —David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 May 2024

There were also folksy numbers, jammed-out rockers and plenty of mesmerizing instrumental interludes. —Jim Harrington, The Mercury News, 10 May 2024

As Beyoncé worked on Cowboy Carter, her team asked Thompson if Martell would be interested in appearing on it, then presented Martell with the script for her spoken interludes. —Melinda Newman, Billboard, 3 Sep. 2019

That’s not to say the film lacks quiet interludes, with the exchanges between Noa and the profoundly decent and compassionate Raku among the most poignant. —David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 May 2024

The best of the interludes was before the finale, with Gaga at her most melodramatic. —Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 8 May 2024

For some, the interlude resolves their greatest regrets; for others, the action is too cryptic to understand at first glance. —Margaret Lyons, New York Times, 2 May 2024

The indie-rock tunes mix with orchestral interludes, synth drones, field recordings, found sounds from nature or the city streets, all full of raw emotion. —Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 22 Apr. 2024

The spoken interludes on the album bring in Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, and Linda Martell—the first Black woman to have sung at the Grand Ole Opry. —Doreen St. Félix, The New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English enterlude, from Medieval Latin interludium, from Latin inter- + ludus play — more at ludicrous

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Kids Definition

interlude

noun

in·​ter·​lude ˈint-ər-ˌlüd 

1

: a performance between the acts of a play

2

: an intervening period, space, or event : interval

3

: a musical composition inserted between the parts of a longer one, a drama, or a religious service