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

At the first intermission, the costumes of the performance fueled conversations, especially the high-collar vests worn by dancers Guillaume Diop, Jack Gasztowtt and Rubens Simon. —Lily Templeton, WWD, 2 Oct. 2024

The three-hour-plus feature, which includes an intermission, was shot in VistaVision and presented at the Venice and Toronto Film Festival in 70 mm. —Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 24 Sep. 2024

At three and a half hours long (with a 15-minute intermission), the Vox Lux director Brady Corbet’s latest film may as well be considered a brutalist structure itself. —Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 20 Sep. 2024

The 215-minute movie (which includes an intermission!) debuted to acclaim at the Venice Film Festival before screening for buyers at the Toronto Film Festival. —Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 8 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English intermyssyown, from Latin intermission-, intermissio, from intermittere

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

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