hiatus

American  

[hahy-ey-tuhs] / haɪˈeɪ təs /

noun

plural

hiatuses, hiatus

1. a break or interruption in the continuity of a work, series, action, etc.

2. a missing part; gap or lacuna.

   Scholars attempted to account for the hiatus in the medieval manuscript.

3. any gap or opening.

   Synonyms:

   space, interval, break

4. Grammar, Prosody. the coming together, with or without break or slight pause, and without contraction, of two vowels in successive words or syllables, as in see easily.

5. Anatomy. a natural fissure, cleft, or foramen in a bone or other structure.

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hiatus British  

/ haɪˈeɪtəs /

noun

1. (esp in manuscripts) a break or gap where something is missing

2. a break or interruption in continuity

3. a break between adjacent vowels in the pronunciation of a word

4. anatomy a natural opening or aperture; foramen

5. anatomy a less common word for vulva

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Other Word Forms

• hiatal adjective

Etymology

Origin of hiatus

First recorded in 1555–65; from Latin hiātus “opening, gap,” equivalent to hiā(re) “to gape, open” + -tus, noun suffix

Example Sentences

Even John Lennon was a fan – famously telling Rolling Stone that Rock Lobster inspired his return to music after a five year hiatus.

From BBC

The first passenger trains connecting the capitals of China and North Korea resumed after a six-year hiatus, a sign of warming ties between the countries.

From The Wall Street Journal

The conference this weekend is Alliance's third since devolution was restored in February 2024 following a two-year hiatus.

From BBC

Passenger train service between the capitals of China and North Korea resumed after a six-year hiatus, signaling warming ties.

From The Wall Street Journal

Back then, widespread layoffs and furloughs pushed some people to go into business for themselves, while others were emboldened to quit working for The Man during an office hiatus.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• interval
• lapse