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

That lead was short lived, however, as Harris, who rushed for 102 yards in the first half, scored on runs of 15 and 57 yards to stretch the lead to 27-15 at the intermission. —Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Oct. 2025

Jayden Fraser added a two-point rush, giving his team an 8-7 edge at intermission. —Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 17 Oct. 2025

With an intermission, opening night ran more than three hours, so some edits seem inevitable. —Ross Raihala, Twin Cities, 17 Oct. 2025

Like a digital intermission clock of sorts that kept the audience abreast of what percentage of the time between sets had been used up. —Chris Willman, Variety, 14 Oct. 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