Definition of interval
1a : a space of time between events or statesb British : intermission
2a : a space between objects, units, points, or statesb : 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)
From the M-W Editors
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
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A lawn mown at this higher level will stay green longer into summer and show drought stress later, which increases intervals between watering.
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Those circles are placed along the forecast track specific time intervals (12, 24, 36 hours, etc.).
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The high-intensity interval training that challenges the heart rate while burning calories combined with a schedule that keeps things interesting by mixing up workouts each day yields results that other exercises or routines don’t, Fearer explained.
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Park Hyatt Chicago: The hotel has paired up with local trainers from the Shred415 workout program to offer guests a calorie-blasting interval training session on the spa's garden terrace.
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At intervals during Saturday's talk, the panelists took the opportunity to critique Orleans Parish prosecutors from the days of former District Attorney Harry Connick to current DA Leon Cannizzaro.
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After the interval, Matuidi came close to breaking the deadlock but the Angers 'keeper parred the effort.
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Saturday will be mostly cloudy with some intervals of sunshine and temperatures in the mid-60s to near 70 degrees.
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This is the velocity when the time interval gets really small.
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
INTERVAL Defined for English Language Learners
interval
playDefinition of interval for English Language Learners
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: a period of time between events
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music : the difference in pitch between two notes
INTERVAL Defined for Kids
interval
playDefinition of interval for Students
1 : a period of time between events or states There was a short interval between shows.
2 : a space between things Signs were posted at regular intervals.
3 : the difference in pitch between two tones
Medical Dictionary
interval
playMedical Definition of interval
: a space of time between events or states intervals between pregnancies
Learn More about interval
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for interval Spanish Central: Translation of interval Nglish: Translation of interval for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of interval for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about interval
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