interval
an intervening period of time: an interval of 50 years.
a period of temporary cessation; pause: intervals between the volleys of gunfire.
a space between things, points, limits, etc.; interspace: an interval of ten feet between posts.
Mathematics.
the totality of points on a line between two designated points or endpoints that may or may not be included.
any generalization of this to higher dimensions, as a rectangle with sides parallel to the coordinate axes.
the space between soldiers or units in military formation.
Music. the difference in pitch between two tones, as between two tones sounded simultaneously (harmonic interval ) or between two tones sounded successively (melodic interval ).
Chiefly New England. intervale.
Cards. a period in a game for placing bets.
British. an intermission, as between the acts of a play.
Idioms about interval
at intervals,
at particular periods of time; now and then: At intervals, there were formal receptions at the governor's mansion.
at particular places, with gaps in between: detour signs at intervals along the highway.
Origin of interval
1Other words for interval
Other words from interval
- in·ter·val·ic, in·ter·val·lic [in-ter-val-ik], /ˌɪn tərˈvæl ɪk/, adjective
Words that may be confused with interval
- interval , period
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use interval in a sentence
In addition, the intervals were very wide besides; and I just told him I couldn't do it.
In other words, just going over the material in your head at regular intervals has benefits.
Repetition Doesn’t Work: Better Ways to Train Your Memory | Gregory Ferenstein | July 12, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThe optimal intervals will ultimately depend on your schedule.
Repetition Doesn’t Work: Better Ways to Train Your Memory | Gregory Ferenstein | July 12, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThey perform as God made them to, diligently pumping out future patriots at 13-month intervals.
He wakes and sleeps at intervals that have become disconnected from the flow of night and day.
Adam Hochschild on Keeping Company With His Dying Father | Adam Hochschild | June 14, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Beside her was a box of bonbons, which she held out at intervals to Madame Ratignolle.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories | Kate ChopinBut at intervals I still felt an inexpressible longing to see or hear from my mother.
The Boarded-Up House | Augusta Huiell SeamanThe Vine appears at intervals, but is not general through this region: Indian Corn is also rare, and appears in small patches.
Glances at Europe | Horace GreeleyFor six days Mamma wept at intervals, and showed the woman in black all Punch's clothes—a liberty which Punch resented.
Kipling Stories and Poems Every Child Should Know, Book II | Rudyard KiplingIt was piteous to see how in these intervals his delusions were always shaped by the bitterest experiences of his life.
Ramona | Helen Hunt Jackson
British Dictionary definitions for interval
/ (ˈɪntəvəl) /
the period of time marked off by or between two events, instants, etc
the distance between two points, objects, etc
a pause or interlude, as between periods of intense activity
British a short period between parts of a play, concert, film, etc; intermission
music the difference of pitch between two notes, either sounded simultaneously (harmonic interval) or in succession as in a musical part (melodic interval). An interval is calculated by counting the (inclusive) number of notes of the diatonic scale between the two notes: the interval between C and G is a fifth
the ratio of the frequencies of two sounds
maths the set containing all real numbers or points between two given numbers or points, called the endpoints. A closed interval includes the endpoints, but an open interval does not
at intervals
occasionally or intermittently
with spaces between
Origin of interval
1Derived forms of interval
- intervallic (ˌɪntəˈvælɪk), adjective
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Browse