interlude

American  

[in-ter-lood] / ˈɪn tərˌlud /

noun

interludes plural

1. an intervening episode, period, space, etc.

   Synonyms:

   pause, intermission, respite, interval

2. a short dramatic piece, especially of a light or farcical character, formerly introduced between the parts or acts of miracle and morality plays or given as part of other entertainments.

3. one of the early English farces or comedies, as those written by John Heywood, which grew out of such pieces.

4. any intermediate performance or entertainment, as between the acts of a play.

5. an instrumental passage or a piece of music rendered between the parts of a song, church service, drama, etc.

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interlude British  

/ ˈɪntəˌluːd /

noun

1. a period of time or different activity between longer periods, processes, or events; episode or interval

2. theatre a short dramatic piece played separately or as part of a longer entertainment, common in 16th-century England

3. a brief piece of music, dance, etc, given between the sections of another performance

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• interludial
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• interludes
  plural

Etymology

Origin of interlude

1275–1325; Middle English < Medieval Latin interlūdium, equivalent to Latin inter- inter- + lūd ( us ) play + -ium -ium

Explanation

An interlude is a brief period of time that comes in the middle of something. You might enjoy a relaxing lemonade interlude in the middle of a tough day at your road-paving job. Any block of time that comes as a break or a respite from an activity can be called an interlude, so you could talk about a quiet interlude after a noisy birthday party, or an interlude of peace after years of war. Interlude is often used to describe the pauses between acts of a play or during an intermission. In fact, the original meaning came from the Latin interludium, which means "between a play".

Example Sentences

It has stayed below 5% for a decade, if a brief interlude during the pandemic is omitted.

From MarketWatch • Jul. 11, 2026

Composed of three songs and one interlude, “Samuelito” takes its name from the childhood moniker some know him by today.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 25, 2026

Another important interlude is the segue of “American Skin” into “Long Walk Home.”

From Salon • May 28, 2026

This drama is far from over, even if a private coffee and a very public, grand occasion means there is a brief interlude today.

From BBC • May 13, 2026

She was sure that he would make Aeneas in the end go to Italy and that this little interlude with Dido would not be in the least to her son’s discredit.

From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton

Related Words

• breathing space
• idyll
• lull
• respite