1
: a temporary stop
2
a
: 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
4
a
: 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
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.
Recent Examples on the Web
Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2025
The factory in Astoria has been in almost continuous operation since 1873, with only temporary pauses in piano production during the Great Depression and World War II.
—Joel Williams, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2025
Ben Smith, semafor.com, 20 Oct. 2025
Though the recent firings have come under legal scrutiny, and will likely remain paused for the foreseeable future, the Supreme Court has given broad deference to Trump over federal hiring so far in his second term.
—Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 19 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pause
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Noun
Since the state resumed executions last year following an involuntary 13-year pause due to trouble obtaining lethal injection drugs, four inmates have selected lethal injection and two have died by firing squad.
—Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2025
The factory in Astoria has been in almost continuous operation since 1873, with only temporary pauses in piano production during the Great Depression and World War II.
—Joel Williams, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2025
Verb
Over the last two decades of accelerating digital politics, commentators are constantly pausing to observe that one party seems to have gained a permanent edge.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 20 Oct. 2025
Though the recent firings have come under legal scrutiny, and will likely remain paused for the foreseeable future, the Supreme Court has given broad deference to Trump over federal hiring so far in his second term.
—Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 19 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pause
Cite this Entry
“Pause.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pause. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pause
1 of 2 noun1
: a temporary stop or rest
2
: the sign {fermata} placed over or under a musical note, chord, or rest to show that it is to be held longer than usual
3
: a reason for pausing
a thought that should give pause
pause
2 of 2 verb
paused; pausing
1
: to stop temporarily
2
: to linger for a time
pause on a high note
Etymology
Noun
Middle English pause "a temporary stop, pause," from Latin pausa "a pause" — related to repose entry 1
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