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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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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Time Traveler for pause
The first known use of pause was in the 15th century
See more words from the same century