intermission

noun

in·​ter·​mis·​sion ˌin-tər-ˈmi-shən 

1

: an interval between the parts of an entertainment (such as the acts of a play)

2

: the act of intermitting : the state of being intermitted

intermissionless adjective

Synonyms

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

Examples of intermission in a Sentence

We'll return after a brief intermission.

an awkward intermission between speeches

Recent Examples on the Web

His team tied it up less than a minute later, and even though the Leafs were heavily outshot, Woll kept the game tied heading into the first intermission. —Kevin Papetti, The Athletic, 19 Dec. 2024

There is a proper 15-minute intermission, akin live theatre. —Christopher Barnard, Vogue, 17 Dec. 2024

At intermission, Tennessee led, 38-25, thanks to a 14-0 run to close the half. —Tim Casey, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024

Neither team could find the endzone in the first half, with Texas taking a 6-3 lead to the intermission. —Kevin Dotson, CNN, 8 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English intermyssyown, from Latin intermission-, intermissio, from intermittere

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

intermission

noun

in·​ter·​mis·​sion ˌint-ər-ˈmish-ən 

1

: pause entry 1 sense 1, interruption

work without intermission

2

: a pause or interval between the parts of an entertainment (as the acts of a play)

Medical Definition

intermission

noun

in·​ter·​mis·​sion ˌint-ər-ˈmish-ən 

: the space of time between two paroxysms of a disease compare arrest, cure entry 1 sense 1, remission