interval

noun

in·​ter·​val ˈin-tər-vəl 

plural intervals

1

a

: a space of time between events or states

a two-month interval between medical treatments

There were long intervals during the game in which nothing exciting happened.

b

British : intermission

There was a twenty minute interval between acts two and three.

2

: the difference in pitch between two tones

3

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

The posts were set up at regular intervals along the road.

4

: one of a series of fast-paced or intense physical exercises alternated with slower or less intense ones or brief rests for training (as of an athlete) see also interval training

5

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

intervallic

ˌin-tər-ˈva-lik 

adjective

Synonyms of interval

• interruption
• hiatus
• gap
• pause

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

The Rumbler interacts with a standard police siren, which generates around 110 to 120 decibels, and amplifies that sound through its speakers in eight-second intervals. — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2026

During the intense parts of my HIIT workout and the sprinting intervals of my run, the Ultra 2's readings spiked and dipped just as quickly as Apple's. — Andrew Gebhart, PC Magazine, 10 Aug. 2026

Also, ibogaine’s prolongation of the heart’s QT intervals carries a real risk of fatal arrhythmia. — Michelle Lhooq, New Yorker, 7 Aug. 2026

The rationing program will force many in the capital of San Juan and its surrounding neighborhoods to go without without water for 48 hour intervals, according to Puerto Rico's Aqueduct and Sewer Authority. — Christopher Cann, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing interval

• class interval
• confidence interval
• high-intensity interval training
• interval training

Kids Definition

interval

noun

in·​ter·​val ˈint-ər-vəl 

1

: a period of time between events or states : pause

a three-month interval

the interval between elections

2

: a space between things

the interval between two desks

3

: difference in pitch between tones

Medical Definition

interval

noun

in·​ter·​val ˈint-ər-vəl 

: a space of time between events or states

intervals between pregnancies