interval
noun
in·ter·val
ˈin-tər-vəl 
plural intervals
1
a
: a space of time between events or states
a two-month interval between medical treatments
There were long intervals during the game in which nothing exciting happened.
b
British
: intermission
There was a twenty minute interval between acts two and three.
2
: the difference in pitch between two tones
3
: a space between objects, units, points, or states
The posts were set up at regular intervals along the road.
4
: one of a series of fast-paced or intense physical exercises alternated with slower or less intense ones or brief rests for training (as of an athlete) see also interval training
5
: a set of real numbers between two numbers either including or excluding one or both of them
Synonyms
Examples of interval in a Sentence
a three-month interval between jobs
There might be long intervals during which nothing happens.
The sun shone for brief intervals throughout the day.
There will be a 20-minute interval between acts one and two.
Recent Examples on the Web
Very warm and less humid with intervals of clouds and sunshine.
—
Kelsey Conway, The Enquirer, 18 Apr. 2024
The Saros, then, is just a nice round interval during which all these cycles repeat a whole number of times: 223 passes through the new moon is almost exactly equal to 242 laps in and out of the ecliptic, which is in turn almost exactly equal to 239 oscillations in the moon’s apparent size.
—Joshua Sokol, Quanta Magazine, 5 Apr. 2024
As anyone who’s paid any attention whatsoever to the automotive business in recent years knows that pandemic-era factory closures, supply chain shortages and supply and demand issues sent the cost of both new and used cars through the proverbial roof for an extended interval of unaffordability.
—Jim Gorzelany, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024
There should be lengthy intervals without rain with highs in the 60s each day.
—Jason Samenow, Washington Post, 25 Mar. 2024
Like seasickness, the grief ebbs and surges, intervals of comparative calm punctuated by spasms of racking pain.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 21 Mar. 2024
At six months of age, 6-8 ounces of formula per feed is recommended at feeding intervals of every 4-5 hours in a 24-hour period.
—Lainey Younkin, Ms, Rd, Parents, 15 Mar. 2024
Inside the Danubius Hotel Helia’s expansive wellness center, the cool, dark salt cave covered in Dead Sea crystals (bookable for 45-minute intervals) also encourages renewal.
—Alia Akkam, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Mar. 2024
The control intervals were chosen to match the days of the week and to account for seasonal and weekly variations in risk.
—Mira Cheng, CNN, 25 Mar. 2024
Kelsey Conway, The Enquirer, 18 Apr. 2024
The Saros, then, is just a nice round interval during which all these cycles repeat a whole number of times: 223 passes through the new moon is almost exactly equal to 242 laps in and out of the ecliptic, which is in turn almost exactly equal to 239 oscillations in the moon’s apparent size.
—Joshua Sokol, Quanta Magazine, 5 Apr. 2024
As anyone who’s paid any attention whatsoever to the automotive business in recent years knows that pandemic-era factory closures, supply chain shortages and supply and demand issues sent the cost of both new and used cars through the proverbial roof for an extended interval of unaffordability.
—Jim Gorzelany, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024
There should be lengthy intervals without rain with highs in the 60s each day.
—Jason Samenow, Washington Post, 25 Mar. 2024
Like seasickness, the grief ebbs and surges, intervals of comparative calm punctuated by spasms of racking pain.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 21 Mar. 2024
At six months of age, 6-8 ounces of formula per feed is recommended at feeding intervals of every 4-5 hours in a 24-hour period.
—Lainey Younkin, Ms, Rd, Parents, 15 Mar. 2024
Inside the Danubius Hotel Helia’s expansive wellness center, the cool, dark salt cave covered in Dead Sea crystals (bookable for 45-minute intervals) also encourages renewal.
—Alia Akkam, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Mar. 2024
The control intervals were chosen to match the days of the week and to account for seasonal and weekly variations in risk.
—Mira Cheng, CNN, 25 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'interval.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Articles Related to interval
Dictionary Entries Near interval
Cite this Entry
“Interval.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/interval. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
interval
noun
in·ter·val
ˈint-ər-vəl
1
: a period of time between events or states : pause
a three-month interval
the interval between elections
2
: a space between things
the interval between two desks
3
: difference in pitch between tones
Medical Definition
interval
noun
in·ter·val
ˈint-ər-vəl
: a space of time between events or states
intervals between pregnancies
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