intermission

American  

[in-ter-mish-uhn] / ˌɪn tərˈmɪʃ ən /

noun

• intermissions
  plural

1. a short interval between the acts of a play or parts of a public performance, usually a period of approximately 10 or 15 minutes, allowing the performers and audience a rest.

2. a period during which action temporarily ceases; an interval between periods of action or activity.

   They studied for hours without an intermission.

3. the act or fact of intermitting; state of being intermitted.

   to work without intermission.

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intermission British  

/ ˌɪntəˈmɪʃən /

noun

1. an interval, as between parts of a film

2. a period between events or activities; pause

3. the act of intermitting or the state of being intermitted

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• intermissive
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• intermissions
  plural

Etymology

Origin of intermission

1400–50; late Middle English < Latin intermissiōn- (stem of intermissiō ) interruption, equivalent to intermiss ( us ) (past participle of intermittere to intermit ) + -iōn- -ion

Explanation

The lengthy pause in the middle of a play or concert is called an intermission. If you're hungry, you might have time to grab a snack during the intermission. The word intermission has a Latin root, intermissionem, "a breaking off or interruption." Originally, it meant any temporary pause, but by the 1850s it was often used in reference to breaks between acts in theatrical performances. In the UK, this is known as an "interval," but in North America, theater and concert attendees wait until the intermission to use the restroom.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

intermission intermissions

With some judicious excisions of aria sections, the opera ran 2 1/2 hours with one intermission.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026

I have never seen so many patrons leave a Shakespeare in the Park production at intermission.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 12, 2026

But he never wrote it, and during intermission the audience is polled to see whether Mr. Lynn’s prologue should be performed.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 21, 2026

Howden had a chance to double the lead less than six minutes before the second intermission, but he whiffed trying to bat a loose puck in an open net from the right side.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 5, 2026

Fortunately, Johnny, the security guard, opened the stage door at intermission.

From "Dog Squad" by Chris Grabenstein

Mostly of generous length: The evening runs three hours, with two intermissions.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 5, 2026

There were multiple intermissions, but those became part of the show as well, as there was no set time limit.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 10, 2026

Its run time: intimidating, stretching well over three hours with two intermissions.

From Seattle Times ● May 7, 2024

New York City Ballet’s 2024-25 season will feature earlier curtain times, fewer intermissions and a tribute to the great American ballerina Maria Tallchief, the company announced on Monday.

From New York Times ● Apr. 15, 2024

The trio played jazz tunes during intermissions at the Olympic movie theater in Sequim in exchange for an opportunity to watch the films.

From "The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics" by Daniel James Brown

Related Words

• interruption
• interval
• lull