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 of intermission

• interval
• interruption
• hiatus
• pause
• interlude

Examples of intermission in a Sentence

We'll return after a brief intermission.

an awkward intermission between speeches

Recent Examples on the Web

Then with five seconds to go before intermission, Watts found the back of the net as Notre Dame constructed an 8-7 lead at the break. —Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 9 May 2026

Lukáš Dostál stopped just five of eight shots before being replaced after the first intermission. —Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 9 May 2026

When Marner made it 3-0 on the power play five seconds before the first intermission even the Ducks, a team that rallied from two-goal deficits to win 10 times this season, knew they were cooked. —Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2026

The 90-minute production runs without an intermission. —Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 9 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English intermyssyown, from Latin intermission-, intermissio, from intermittere

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for intermission

• abolition
• acquisition
• admonition
• ammunition
• apparition
• apposition
• coalition
• competition
• composition
• definition
• deglutition
• demolition

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