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

• 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

The Cougars led 55-6 going into intermission. —Elijah Flowers, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Oct. 2025

Through Mites on Ice, BMW of North America will join the Capitals in backing youth hockey players who will play in front of fans at Capital One Arena during intermissions at home games. —Sportico Staff, Sportico.com, 3 Oct. 2025

That run included an intermission between the first and second parts. —J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 1 Oct. 2025

Those will be about 90 minutes without intermission featuring a lot of conversation with the conductor and musicians. —Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 29 Sep. 2025

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