interlude

noun

in·​ter·​lude ˈin-tər-ˌlüd How to pronounce interlude (audio)
Synonyms of interludenext
1
: an intervening or interruptive period, space, or event : interval
2
: a musical composition inserted between the parts of a longer composition, a drama, or a religious service
3
: a usually short simple play or dramatic entertainment

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 on the Web
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Elaborate stages are built for the camera close-ups as much as the crowd, often featuring prefab cinematic interludes, ornately detailed costumes, titillating dance moves and surreal, maximalist graphics. Andrea Domanick, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2026 Peasants whisper about monsters in the forest, and in the interlude between the wars, Lajos gazes at a house that is burning down and has a premonition of the world-historical destruction to come. Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 23 Apr. 2026 Jean-Baptiste, who trained as a cellist, arranges his songs—some of which are barely over a minute long—like a chamber cycle punctuated with interludes. Emma Madden, Pitchfork, 14 Apr. 2026 One bizarre, nearly 7-minute interlude featured Susan Sarandon playing an older version of Carpenter, delivering a wistful monologue about what a future niece might think of her. Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 11 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for interlude

Word History

Etymology

Middle English enterlude "dramatic entertainment," borrowed from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French entreludie, borrowed from Medieval Latin interlūdium, from Latin inter- inter- + lūdus "play, game" (derivative of lūdere "to play") + -ium, suffix of compound nouns — more at ludicrous

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of interlude was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Interlude.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/interlude. Accessed 2 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

interlude

noun
in·​ter·​lude ˈint-ər-ˌlüd How to pronounce interlude (audio)
1
: a performance between the acts of a play
2
: an intervening period, space, or event : interval
3
: a musical composition inserted between the parts of a longer one, a drama, or a religious service

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