interlude
Americannoun
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an intervening episode, period, space, etc.
- Synonyms:
- pause, intermission, respite, interval
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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.
-
one of the early English farces or comedies, as those written by John Heywood, which grew out of such pieces.
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any intermediate performance or entertainment, as between the acts of a play.
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an instrumental passage or a piece of music rendered between the parts of a song, church service, drama, etc.
noun
-
a period of time or different activity between longer periods, processes, or events; episode or interval
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theatre a short dramatic piece played separately or as part of a longer entertainment, common in 16th-century England
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a brief piece of music, dance, etc, given between the sections of another performance
Other Word Forms
- interludial adjective
Etymology
Origin of interlude
1275–1325; Middle English < Medieval Latin interlūdium, equivalent to Latin inter- inter- + lūd ( us ) play + -ium -ium
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The more dramatic opening with stealthy guitar licks sets up Mr. Frampton’s superb rock solos and talk box and Mr. Mayo’s jazzy interlude on electric piano.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 19, 2026
Later, after a chaotic interlude of rebel rule and an uncertain transition, he was elected head of state as a post-conflict and consensual civil-society figure.
From BBC • Dec. 26, 2025
The military ruled Myanmar for most of its post-independence history before a 10-year interlude saw a civilian government take the reins in a burst of optimism and reform.
From Barron's • Dec. 23, 2025
Although the storm promises to bring Southern California’s first significant soaking in a month, an interlude that followed one of the region’s wettest Novembers on record, Northern California was already hit by storms this week.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 18, 2025
With the demotion of Nick to our ranks, the peaceful interlude began to slip away, and my life once more became complicated, filled with anxiety and finally danger.
From "The Shakespeare Stealer" by Gary L. Blackwood
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
