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

intervallic

ˌin-tər-ˈva-lik 

adjective

Synonyms of interval

• interruption
• hiatus
• gap
• pause

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

Expect intervals of clouds and sunshine with breezy conditions and highs in the 80s. —Michael Autovino, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026

Unlike traditional belt or chain timing, wet timing circulates oil over the timing belt to significantly lower friction losses, resulting in a timing change interval of 150,000 miles (241,400 km). —New Atlas, 29 Mar. 2026

Critics have argued that the lengthy intervals made the program less safe because teams could not improve and iterate quickly, the way commercial space companies like SpaceX do. —Denise Chow, NBC news, 26 Mar. 2026

In an alternative scenario, the cap would stay fixed in nominal dollar terms, in our examples at $100,000 or $70,000 sans bumps for the CPI, for 20 or 30 years, and after those intervals grow in tandem with wages. —Shawn Tully, Fortune, 26 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English intervalle, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French entreval, from Latin intervallum space between ramparts, interval, from inter- + vallum rampart — more at wall

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing interval

• class interval
• confidence interval
• high-intensity interval training
• interval training

Kids 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