interlude

noun in·ter·lude \ ˈin-tər-ˌlüd \

Updated on: 18 Apr 2018

Definition of interlude

1 : a usually short simple play or dramatic entertainment

2 : an intervening or interruptive period, space, or event : interval

3 : a musical composition inserted between the parts of a longer composition, a drama, or a religious service

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Examples of interlude in a Sentence

She left for a brief interlude.
He has resumed his acting career after a two-year interlude.
They always met in the city for their romantic interludes.
a drama with musical interludes

Recent Examples of interlude from the Web

Sometimes there will be an interlude of a couple of years of peace.

— lorraine boissoneault, Smithsonian, "How British Gun Manufacturers Changed the Industrial World Lock, Stock and Barrel," 12 Apr. 2018
The performance is narrated with dramatic lighting and musical interludes.

— mark rapp, cleveland.com, "Cleveland Arts listings for March 23-29: Cleveland rock photographer Anastasia Pantsios at Cleveland Print Room & More," 22 Mar. 2018
By then, in the wake of a wave of corruption scandals, Maharashtra’s chief minister, akin to the governor of a U.S. state, had resigned, and Mumbai was—for a brief interlude—in a reform phase.

— anjali kamat, The New Republic, "Political Corruption and the Art of the Deal," 21 Mar. 2018
In this piece, and others, Bales partnered with bassist Kevin Smith and drummer Marlon Patton in instrumental interludes that deepened the jazz context of the music-making.

— howard reich, chicagotribune.com, "Mister Rogers' music gets jazzed at Winter's Jazz Club," 23 Mar. 2018
An interlude on the beach allows for homages to Godard and Truffaut.

— christian lorentzen, The New Republic, "The earnest, ironic stylings of Wes Anderson’s “Isle of Dogs”," 21 Mar. 2018
Petty just shook his head when Ingram pled ignorance to the musical interlude.

— michael casagrande, AL.com, "A few Alabama players never heard of 'One Shining Moment,' others can't believe it," 14 Mar. 2018
With Jerome having pretty much exhausted his narrative function early on, Mellman then retreats behind the piano to hand out props or play accompaniment in those clunky song interludes.

— david rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, "'Good for Otto': Theater Review," 9 Mar. 2018
The album is stitched together by interludes that gives the project a therapeutic feel.

— andreas hale, Billboard, "Elzhi & Khrysis on Forming Their Group Jericho Jackson, Premiere New Record 'Listen' Featuring Amber Navran," 21 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'interlude.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of interlude

Middle English enterlude, from Medieval Latin interludium, from Latin inter- + ludus play — more at ludicrous

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

interlude Synonyms

Other Music Terms

cacophony, chorister, concerto, counterpoint, madrigal, obbligato, presto, refrain, riff, segue

INTERLUDE Defined for English Language Learners

interlude

noun

Definition of interlude for English Language Learners

: a period of time between events or activities
: a brief romantic or sexual meeting or relationship
: a short piece of music that is played between the parts of a longer one, a drama, or a religious service