interlude

noun in·ter·lude \ ˈin-tər-ˌlüd \

|Updated on: 12 Jun 2018

Examples: interlude in a Sentence

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

See interlude defined for English-language learners

See interlude defined for kids

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

In animated interludes, Daniel serves as Rogers’s surrogate, a sometimes somber, sometimes jubilant inhabitant of a gloomy room empty except for a tiny bed.

— peter keough, BostonGlobe.com, "‘Won’t You Be My Neighbor?’ is an invitation not to be passed up," 31 May 2018
Moving Myths: Story Telling Through Dance METdance’s interactive performance introduces legends from all over the world in a magical interlude of storytelling.

— Houston Chronicle, "Family Fun: Memorial Day festivals galore," 23 May 2018
Last week's episode was perhaps the best yet, and its interlude, with Quentin (Jason Ralph) and Eliot (Hale Appleman) living a quiet family life in an alternate timeline, was beautiful.

— kelly lawler, USA TODAY, "TV tonight: Spend Valentine's Day with 'The Magicians'," 14 Feb. 2018
The best bits are the interludes for Pard, her new black-and-white cat.

— wired staff, WIRED, "12 Books You Must Read This Summer," 25 May 2018
But the bounty of talent counts for little in a tedious, inert piece that awkwardly shoehorns numerous dance interludes into a thin storyline.

— frank scheck, The Hollywood Reporter, "'The Beast in the Jungle': Theater Review," 24 May 2018
Joining the party are comparably kinetic groups like Eroders and Paper Thin with interludes from DJ Ricky Rat.

— jeff milo, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit music: Band Blender at Small's, folk benefit in Ferndale, new album parties," 17 May 2018
Asbury Park's Glen Burtnik led the house band and rock legend Tommy James, who was inducted last year, performed a few musical interludes.

— chris jordan, USA TODAY, "Bruce Springsteen inducts E Street bandmate Steven Van Zandt into N.J. Hall of Fame," 7 May 2018
But there aren’t enough such quirky interludes, in a show taking few risks and exhibiting no depth.

— mike fischer, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Treasure the pirate in First Stage's 'Judy Moody and Stink'," 5 May 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