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

Crosby feathered a pass for Karlsson, but Gibson’s acrobatic left-pad save preserved the Ducks’ edge at the second intermission. —Andrew Knoll, Orange County Register, 24 Jan. 2025

But the Devils had a 12-5 shot advantage and some momentum going into the intermission. —Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 23 Jan. 2025

Buffalo took a 21-10 lead into intermission – the largest halftime deficit for the Ravens all season, according to CBS. —Kevin Dotson, CNN, 19 Jan. 2025

Watch on Deadline The box office attraction continues to be relatively unique for a three hour and forty five-minute epic with an intermission set in Doylestown, Pa. about a WWII Hungarian Jewish refugee architect, with a modest $10 million budget. —Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 19 Jan. 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

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