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 of intermission

• 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

Cinematographer Adam Carboni frames most of the movie in a glowing daytime warmth, peppered with gorgeous intermissions that plunge the audience into starry nights that give the whole affair a music video-like pulse. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 17 Sep. 2026

The Texas head coach had abandoned a halftime on-field interview with Laura Rutledge, which the sideline reporter chalked up to technical difficulties that cut into the coach’s limited halftime intermission. — Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2026

Alex Gibney’s film, which runs 3 hours and 45 minutes with a 10-minute intermission, holds its North American premiere later Monday at the Toronto Film Festival. — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 14 Sep. 2026

Thankfully, the bathroom lines at Venice intermissions are not too long, as 70 percent of the audience uses the opportunity to duck out and have a smoke. — Nate Jones, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2026

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