hiatus

[hahy-ey-tuhs]

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.

hiatus

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• hiatal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of hiatus¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of hiatus¹

C16: from Latin: gap, cleft, aperture, from hiāre to gape, yawn

Example Sentences

“I remember the first hiatus where the general foreman said, ‘I’ll see you next season.’

Read more on Los Angeles Times

In the music industry, the term “hiatus” has historically been used to describe artists who take extended breaks between releases.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Recently, the popular mobile queer party Gay Asstrology went on hiatus as well.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

With the IPO market heating up after a long hiatus, many investors are wondering whether—and how—to jump in.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

When Alan returned from his hiatus in the 2010s, in the YouTube series Mid Morning Matters and spoof autobiography I, Partridge, a new writing team was in place.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• interval 
• lapse