pause

²pause

verb

pausedpaus·ing

Definition of PAUSE

intransitive verb

1

: to stop temporarily

2

: to linger for a time

transitive verb

: to cause to pause : stop

Examples of PAUSE

1. She paused for a few seconds before crossing the street.
2. We paused briefly to look at the scenery.
3. He talked for over an hour without pausing.
4. He picked up the remote control and paused the movie.

First Known Use of PAUSE

15th century

Related to PAUSE

Synonyms: break, catch one's breath, hold one's horses

Related Words: hesitate; break in, interrupt; cease, discontinue, end, finish, stop, terminate; knock off, lay off, quit; lapse, let up

Near Antonyms: continue, persist; advance, progress; extend, prolong, stretch

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