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

• discontinuity
• gap
• hiatus
• hiccup
• hiccough
• interim
• interlude
• interregnum
• interruption
• interstice
• interval
• parenthesis

Examples of intermission in a Sentence

We'll return after a brief intermission.

an awkward intermission between speeches

Recent Examples on the Web

Brad Marchand had a little pick-me-up during the second intermission of the Florida Panthers’ 6-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference final on Saturday. —Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 25 May 2025

Will the two resume Gustavsson and Fleury’s tradition of coming up with animals, fruits, etc., from letters A-Z during timeouts and intermissions? —Joe Smith, New York Times, 22 May 2025

The concert will feature two sets of about 50 minutes each, plus a 15-minute intermission. —Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 May 2025

But the teams went to the locker room at the second intermission in a scoreless tie. —Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 17 May 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