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

And that became the trap door, the explosive play that put the Bears in a 21-9 hole at the intermission. —Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 4 Nov. 2024

Houdini reportedly collapsed after the curtain fell at intermission but still came back for the second half of the show. —Emily Blackwood, People.com, 31 Oct. 2024

During timeouts or intermissions, the Halo Board will feature mini-games and activities for the audience. —Shane Young, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024

Performances run 4-1/2 hours, with two intermissions. —Randy McMullen, The Mercury News, 17 Oct. 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