interval

noun in·ter·val \ ˈin-tər-vəl \

Definition of interval

1 a :a space of time between events or states

b British :intermission

2 a :a space between objects, units, points, or states

b :the difference in pitch between two tones

3 :a set of real numbers between two numbers either including or excluding one or both of them

4 :one of a series of fast-paced exercises interspersed with slower ones or brief rests for training (as of an athlete)

—

intervallic

play \ˌin-tər-ˈva-lik\ adjective

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Examples of interval in a Sentence

a three-month interval between jobs
There might be long intervals during which nothing happens.
The sun shone for brief intervals throughout the day.
There will be a 20-minute interval between acts one and two.

Recent Examples of interval from the Web

But in the interval when the planet had defrosted, between 645 and 659 million years ago, sterane levels skyrocketed by 100 to 1,000 times, reaching a peak that has persisted to this day.

— ed yong, The Atlantic, "The Origin Story of Animals Is a Song of Ice and Fire," 16 Aug. 2017
The date switch involving the Players Championship will place the men’s main events at more regular intervals, like steppingstones to navigate more easily the competitive calendar from March to August.

— karen crouse, New York Times, "Moving P.G.A. Championship to May Doesn’t Address a Nagging Concern," 8 Aug. 2017
But pumping can't wait: A woman needs to pump at regular intervals to avoid leaking, pain and potentially serious infections.

— author: amy joyce, Alaska Dispatch News, "Laws protect moms’ right to pump at work, but the reality is more complicated," 4 Aug. 2017
During the glacial interval, sea level fluctuates as the ice sheets grow larger and shrink until the last glacial maximum is reached about 18,000 years ago.

— ben raines | braines@al.com, AL.com, "Reddit users pose 600 questions about the Underwater Forest," 28 July 2017
These models suggested that access would be allowed or denied at predictable, periodic intervals.

— bradley j. fikes, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Salk Institute, UCSD scientists decode DNA's 3D shape," 27 July 2017
Line your ironing board with aluminum foil and iron each side of each tube for 30 second intervals until cheese is melted and the pepperoni makes your room smell like a pizzeria.

— the editors, Town & Country, "How Two of the Best Chefs in New York Would Stock a Dorm-Room Mini-Fridge," 25 July 2017
The data is then collated into an annual report and published at irregular intervals.

— christopher harress, AL.com, "Alabama unemployment low, part-time jobs up, but why?," 20 July 2017
The contractions kept coming in shorter intervals, according to The Washington Post, and within 50 minutes of her first contraction, Penton's water broke.

— ryan craggs, CNT, "Woman Gives Birth on Spirit Flight, Baby Will Fly Free Until 21," 28 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'interval.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of interval

Middle English intervalle, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French entreval, from Latin intervallum space between ramparts, interval, from inter- + vallum rampart — more at wall

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

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