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

Florida enters the second intermission tied 1-1 with Edmonton despite a 22-7 lead in shots on goal. —Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 11 June 2024

Down by five at intermission, Minnesota outscored Seattle 47-23 in the second half. —Mike Cook, Twin Cities, 10 June 2024

Brink’s buzzer-beating layup to end the first half gave the Sparks life but the Wings still led, 44-38, at intermission. —John W. Davis, Orange County Register, 7 June 2024

For too much of its two hours’ traffic (which is how long Fiasco’s production runs, including intermission), its characters feel like paper dolls, desperate for actors to fill them out. —Sara Holdren, Vulture, 26 Feb. 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