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)
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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
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The data is then collated into an annual report and published at irregular intervals.
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The contractions kept coming in shorter intervals, according to The Washington Post, and within 50 minutes of her first contraction, Penton's water broke.
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Its scarcity is predetermined by the code: New bitcoins are introduced into the system at regular intervals through a process called mining.
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The team projects that intervals between bleaching will get shorter and shorter if carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions continue to rise.
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Aim for three longer, endurance days and 2 shorter interval days.
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But HIIT circuit intervals can also range from a short to medium duration with high-intensity work sessions lasting anywhere from 20 seconds to 5 minutes.
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This summer, Cadre plans to start allowing investors to resell their real estate holdings at set intervals.
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What’s more, drivers who text take their eyes off the road [do so] for an average of 4.6 seconds within a six second interval.
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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