pause

1 of 2

noun

1
: a temporary stop
2
a
: a break in a verse
b
: a brief suspension of the voice to indicate the limits and relations of sentences and their parts
3
: temporary inaction especially as caused by uncertainty : hesitation
4
a
: the sign denoting a fermata
b
: a mark (such as a period or comma) used in writing or printing to indicate or correspond to a pause of voice
5
: a reason or cause for pausing (as to reconsider)
a thought that should give one pause
6
: a function of an electronic device that pauses a recording

pause

2 of 2

verb

paused; pausing

intransitive verb

1
: to stop temporarily
2
: to linger for a time

transitive verb

: to cause to pause : stop

Examples of pause in a Sentence

Noun There was a brief pause in the conversation. After a pause the teacher continued the lesson. He hit pause on the player and explained the significance of the song's lyrics. Please hit the pause button on the remote control. Verb She paused for a few seconds before crossing the street. We paused briefly to look at the scenery. He talked for over an hour without pausing. He picked up the remote control and paused the movie.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
And with Russia’s Vladimir Putin failing to agree to a full pause in the fighting with Ukraine, signs point to a continuing war and uncertain American support for Ukraine. Ella Polak, Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2025 The pandemic provided a reprieve for millions of student loan borrowers, as stimulus checks and payment pauses allowed many of them to bring down their balances. Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2025
Verb
With just over six minutes left in the quarter, the game was paused for over 10 minutes. Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 18 Mar. 2025 That has led a majority of states to either abolish or pause carrying out the death penalty. CBS News, 18 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pause

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Latin pausa, from Greek pausis, from pauein to stop

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pause was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pause.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pause. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

pause

1 of 2 noun
1
: a temporary stop or rest
2
: the sign {fermata} placed over or under a musical note, chord, or rest to show that it is to be held longer than usual
3
: a reason for pausing
a thought that should give pause

pause

2 of 2 verb
paused; pausing
1
: to stop temporarily
2
: to linger for a time
pause on a high note
Etymology

Noun

Middle English pause "a temporary stop, pause," from Latin pausa "a pause" — related to repose entry 1

More from Merriam-Webster on pause

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