interval

noun

in·ter·val ˈin-tər-vəl

plural intervals

Synonyms of interval next

: 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.

British : intermission

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

: the difference in pitch between two tones

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

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

: 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

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

intervallic

ˌin-tər-ˈva-lik

adjective

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 Zone 1 is the coldest, and Zone 13 is the warmest, counting in 10 degree intervals. —

Christianna Silva, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Nov. 2023 Melt butter and chocolate: Place butter in a microwavable bowl, and heat on HIGH in 30-second intervals, stirring after each, until melted (about 1 minute total). —

Ivy Odom, Southern Living, 24 Nov. 2023 The drug was administered in two intervals as Kelley relaxed into a recliner. —

Daliah Singer, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 Nov. 2023 Historical research shows that low- to moderate-intensity wildfire—sparked by either lightning or Indigenous peoples—occurred at six- to 35-year intervals, greatly reducing fuel loads. —

WIRED, 18 Nov. 2023 The only signs of roadside life were the silhouettes of Israeli infantrymen who guarded the route at strategic intervals. —

Patrick Kingsley Daniel Berehulak, New York Times, 17 Nov. 2023 Wrap pieces of satin, velvet, or grosgrain ribbon (5/8-inch or narrower) around the ball at equal intervals, securing the ribbons' ends with hot glue at the bottom of the ornament. —

Emily Vanschmus, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Nov. 2023 After a sign at a Colorado theater advertising their eight-minute interval went viral, producer Apple, distributor Paramount, and editor Thelma Schoonmaker took the necessary steps to halt such modifications, on the grounds that Scorsese intended no such break. —

Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 31 Oct. 2023 After a very British interval, the band started the second half of the show with a tricky translucent screen at the front of the stage. —

Brad Auerbach, SPIN, 18 Oct. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'interval.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler

The first known use of interval was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century