\ ˈpȯz
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Definition of pause
(Entry 1 of 2)
1
: a temporary stop
2a
: a break in a verse
b
: a brief suspension of the voice to indicate the limits and relations of sentences and their parts
3
: temporary inaction especially as caused by uncertainty : hesitation
4a
: the sign denoting a fermata
b
: a mark (such as a period or comma) used in writing or printing to indicate or correspond to a pause of voice
5
: a reason or cause for pausing (as to reconsider)
a thought that should give one pause
6
: a function of an electronic device that pauses a recording
pause
verb
paused; pausing
Definition of pause (Entry 2 of 2)
: to cause to pause : stop
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Examples of pause in a Sentence
Noun
There was a brief pause in the conversation.
After a pause the teacher continued the lesson.
He hit pause on the player and explained the significance of the song's lyrics.
Please hit the pause button on the remote control.
Verb
She paused for a few seconds before crossing the street.
We paused briefly to look at the scenery.
He talked for over an hour without pausing.
He picked up the remote control and paused the movie.
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Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
Baylor was on pause for 21 days in February because of COVID-19 concerns.
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Zach Osterman, The Indianapolis Star, "How Baylor took apart previously perfect Gonzaga in NCAA championship game," 6 Apr. 2021
Those magical people include an interesting mix of local and nationally renowned musicians and choreographers who were eager to use their talents while their careers were put on pause.
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San Diego Union-Tribune, "In ‘Dances to Strings,’ storytelling through movement and music," 4 Apr. 2021
The coronavirus pandemic may have put many things on pause over the last year, but the need to grow your business wasn’t one of them.
—
John Hall, Forbes, "Trends In Executive Recruiting That Will Help You Get The Best Talent," 4 Apr. 2021
The more immediate problem was that Randolph-Macon athletics went on pause because of the school's virus protocols.
—
Noah Trister, Star Tribune, "No NCAA Tournament, yet lots of memories for top D3 teams," 1 Apr. 2021
Tunheim, in his ruling, also rejected a motion from the oil companies to put Minnesota’s lawsuit on pause until the Supreme Court issues a ruling in the Baltimore proceedings.
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Josh Siegel, Washington Examiner, "Daily on Energy: Biden tries to get utility industry on board with clean power agenda," 1 Apr. 2021
Customers and employees inside Cup Foods put their shopping and working on pause to watch the trial on a television mounted above an A.T.M.
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New York Times, "Clerk Who Questioned $20 Bill Watched Floyd Arrest With ‘Disbelief and Guilt’," 31 Mar. 2021
The Vikings were open since Swampscott remains on pause.
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BostonGlobe.com, "It’s all in the cards to call in plays from the high school sideline," 31 Mar. 2021
While trips are on pause during the pandemic, Seable Holidays will bring them back in summer 2022.
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Arundhati Nath, Condé Nast Traveler, "6 Tour Companies Dedicated to Travelers with Disabilities," 31 Mar. 2021
Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
Beyond remembering to pause and think, fostering better negotiations also entails building a tolerance for silence.
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Anne Quito, Quartz, "Silence is the most misunderstood negotiation superpower," 8 Apr. 2021
Purchasers can pause, rewind and rewatch it throughout the April 16-18 ticket window.
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Joan Rusek, cleveland, "Spring is in the air and the stars and park trails are calling: Valley Views," 31 Mar. 2021
Just pause for a moment to look at the NBA’s standings.
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The Salt Lake Tribune, "Andy Larsen: Once again, the conference imbalance in the NBA is clear — the West is best," 27 Mar. 2021
Joey Cora didn’t pause when asked if his brother was in the wrong.
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BostonGlobe.com, "‘He’s everything for me’: Alex Cora reunites with one of his most loyal supporters — his brother Joey," 21 Mar. 2021
Opening the door will pause a cycle already in progress.
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Anthony Karcz, Forbes, "8 Products For Spring Cleaning Your Tech After A Messy 2020," 19 Mar. 2021
Walgreens will pause new vaccination appointments for other eligible populations to prioritize educator vaccinations in Delaware through March, in accordance with federal guidance.
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From Usa Today Network And Wire Reports, USA TODAY, "Fermenting skills, exodus debunked, nurse strike: News from around our 50 states," 9 Mar. 2021
Colleges: Stanford’s three-game home baseball series against Cal State Bakersfield, scheduled for this weekend, was canceled as the Roadrunners will pause as a result of health and safety protocols.
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Staff And News Services, San Francisco Chronicle, "U.S. women's soccer players join Biden to promote closing pay gap; U.S. men lose to Mexico," 24 Mar. 2021
State Farm Stadium will pause vaccinations at midnight on April 3 and will resume at 5 p.m. on April 4.
—
Alison Steinbach, The Arizona Republic, "Arizona plans to move COVID-19 vaccinations indoors as weather warms up," 20 Mar. 2021
See MoreThese example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'pause.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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Last Updated
9 Apr 2021
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Cite this Entry
“Pause.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pause. Accessed 14 Apr. 2021.
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More Definitions for pause
pause
noun
English Language Learners Definition of pause
(Entry 1 of 2)
: a temporary stop : a period of time in which something is stopped before it is started again
: a control that you use when you want to stop a recorded song, movie, etc., for a short time
music
: the sign that is placed over or under a musical note, rest, etc., to show that it should be held longer than usual
pause
verbEnglish Language Learners Definition of pause (Entry 2 of 2)
: to stop doing something for a short time before doing it again
: to cause (a recorded song, movie, etc.) to stop for a short time by pushing a button on a device
See the full definition for pause in the English Language Learners Dictionary
pause
noun
\ ˈpȯz
\
\
Kids Definition of pause
(Entry 1 of 2)
1
: a temporary stop
2
: a sign 𝄐 above a musical note or rest to show that the note or rest is to be held longer
pause
verb
paused; pausing
Kids Definition of pause (Entry 2 of 2)
: to stop for a time : make a temporary stop
He paused, perhaps waiting for me to explain.— Gail Carson Levine, Ella Enchanted
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Time Traveler for pause
The first known use of pause was in the 15th century
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