interlude

noun

in·​ter·​lude ˈin-tər-ˌlüd How to pronounce interlude (audio)
1
: an intervening or interruptive period, space, or event : interval
2
: a musical composition inserted between the parts of a longer composition, a drama, or a religious service
3
: a usually short simple play or dramatic entertainment

Examples of interlude in a Sentence

She left for a brief interlude. He has resumed his acting career after a two-year interlude. They always met in the city for their romantic interludes. a drama with musical interludes
Recent Examples on the Web The evening includes a brief mid-set interlude where Wonder rests his voice and a 30-person gospel choir fills in for a few songs. Caryn Rose, Variety, 23 Oct. 2024 The concerts, which include a Borsch Belt-style dance interlude from Cool, as well as a fly-over from a giant inflatable airplane amid copious pyro and other eye-popping effects, will run down to Australia in 2025 for a run of three March stadium shows with openers AFI. Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 19 Sep. 2024 Vasti writes with a warm, whimsical voice, underscoring her hysterical interludes and cutting asides with a deep well of emotions. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 15 Aug. 2024 Of course, no cooking show with Rossdale would be complete without musical interludes. Sabrina Weiss, People.com, 9 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for interlude 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'interlude.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English enterlude, from Medieval Latin interludium, from Latin inter- + ludus play — more at ludicrous

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of interlude was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near interlude

Cite this Entry

“Interlude.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/interlude. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

interlude

noun
in·​ter·​lude ˈint-ər-ˌlüd How to pronounce interlude (audio)
1
: a performance between the acts of a play
2
: an intervening period, space, or event : interval
3
: a musical composition inserted between the parts of a longer one, a drama, or a religious service

More from Merriam-Webster on interlude

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