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

That staked Boston to a 74-64 edge at intermission. —Bobby Krivitsky, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025

Down 13-10 after the opening quarter, Grace Prep was outscored 16-7 in the second period, which left a 29-17 deficit at intermission. —Mike Waters, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Mar. 2025

One question will no doubt be on most viewers’ minds: Can a doc like this sustain one’s interest for 324 minutes, even with an intermission? —Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 22 Feb. 2025

The Magic went from trailing by 19 to leading by 1 at intermission. —Jason Beede, Orlando Sentinel, 21 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for intermission

• abolition
• acquisition
• admonition
• ammunition
• apparition
• apposition
• coalition
• competition
• composition
• definition
• deglutition
• demolition

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