interval

noun

in·ter·val | \ ˈin-tər-vəl

Definition of interval

1a : a space of time between events or states

b British : intermission

2a : 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)

Other Words from interval Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about interval

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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 on the Web

How long that interval changes depends on how bright the Cepheid is: the brighter the star, the longer its brightness cycle. — Avery Thompson, Popular Mechanics, "Astronomers Discover the Milky Way Is More Twisted and Warped Than We Thought," 5 Feb. 2019 Turner is concerned about the more frequent fires that consume areas previously charred, called repeated short-interval fires. — Kristen Pope, Discover Magazine, "Wildfire Engulfed Yellowstone 30 Years Ago. Its Recovery Could Predict The Future of the West," 12 Nov. 2018 Travel; the tranquilizing effects of suspending yourself on a sea-meets-sky horizon; the body-toning results of what amounts to hours of aquatic sprint intervals. — Mackenzie Wagoner, Glamour, "7 Pro Surfers on the Best Deep Conditioners," 17 Sep. 2018 France had controlled possession and circulated the ball well before the interval, but after four shots in the first eight minutes the French failed to get a single shot on target in the remainder of the first half. — Sanuel Petrequin, BostonGlobe.com, "Video replay, goal-line technology helped France beat gritty Australia," 16 June 2018 France had controlled possession and circulated the ball well before the interval, but after four shots in the first eight minutes the French failed to get a single shot on target in the remainder of the first half. — Samuel Petrequin, chicagotribune.com, "France beat Australia as VAR makes first World Cup appearance," 16 June 2018 Withdrawing those 2,000 American troops from the Middle East is a significant act for which allies in the region and elsewhere needed a decent interval to prepare. — The Editorial Board, WSJ, "The Trump Volatility Risks," 20 Dec. 2018 Since the average interval between these big earthquakes was 135 years, a common interpretation is that Southern California is due for a big earthquake. — Cade Metz, The Seattle Times, "The next Big One? Earthquake scientists look to AI.," 26 Oct. 2018 But the interval between RFK’s shooting and his death is all but forgotten. — Rick Hampson, USA TODAY, "The lost day: How we remember, and don't, the 26 hours after Robert F. Kennedy fell," 4 June 2018

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.