pause
a temporary stop or rest, especially in speech or action: a short pause after each stroke of the oar.
a cessation of activity because of doubt or uncertainty; a momentary hesitation.
any comparatively brief stop, delay, wait, etc.: I would like to make a pause in my talk and continue after lunch.
a break or rest in speaking or reading to emphasize meaning, grammatical relation, metrical division, etc., or in writing or printing by the use of punctuation.
Prosody. a break or suspension, as a caesura, in a line of verse.
Music. a fermata.
to make a brief stop or delay; wait; hesitate: He paused at the edge of the pool for a moment. I'll pause in my lecture so we can all get some coffee.
to dwell or linger (usually followed by on or upon): to pause upon a particular point.
Idioms about pause
give pause, to cause to hesitate or be unsure, as from surprise or doubt: These frightening statistics give us pause.
Origin of pause
1Other words for pause
Other words from pause
- pausal, adjective
- pauseful, adjective
- pause·ful·ly, adverb
- pauseless, adjective
- pause·less·ly, adverb
- pauser, noun
- paus·ing·ly, adverb
- non·pause, noun
- un·paus·ing, adjective
Words that may be confused with pause
Words Nearby pause
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use pause in a sentence
The Minnesota Wild, on pause for the past week, announced Thursday that it will reopen for team activities Friday.
NHL adds game-day rapid testing to coronavirus protocols | Samantha Pell | February 12, 2021 | Washington PostThe one aspect of this dish that initially gave me pause was the tomatoes, given the time of year.
TikTok’s viral baked feta pasta is worth the hype | Aaron Hutcherson | February 11, 2021 | Washington PostYes, I of course refer to the SEO industry and yes, you may take a small pause here to go through the above statement to see if it works.
The future of Google and what it means for search | Pete Eckersley | February 5, 2021 | Search Engine WatchThough Smith went 5-1 as a starter, the bone bruise that kept him from starting three of the year’s final four games gave everyone pause.
Finding the right QB is the first — and most crucial — task for Washington’s new front office | Les Carpenter | February 4, 2021 | Washington PostSaint Louis came off a month-plus pause and promptly lost at home to Dayton.
NCAA tournament bracketology: Two No. 1 seeds could go to teams outside power conferences | Patrick Stevens | February 2, 2021 | Washington Post
But pause for a second, and look back at what these generations of regulators and lawmakers have created.
After a pause she invited me in with a warm smile, as if I were a neighbor.
The Life and Hard Times Of The Family A Cuban Defector Left Behind | Brin-Jonathan Butler | December 19, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTI had to pause for sheep crossing the road, which is a common occurrence when driving through the Highlands of Scotland.
A Whisky Connoisseur Remembers That First Sip of The Macallan | | December 10, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTAccording to James Madison, there was “a considerable pause.”
We continuously pause to pull them out while Zalwar Khan and his companion smirk at us and chew unbothered.
Heart of Darkness: Into Afghanistan’s Taliban Valley | Matt Trevithick, Daniel Seckman | November 15, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTAfter a minute's pause, while he stood painfully silent, she resumed in great emotion.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4 | Jane PorterIn fact, his appearance was so formidable that Davy did not pause for a second look, but started off at the top of his speed.
Davy and The Goblin | Charles E. CarrylThere was a pause, during which Blanche went through a little mute exhibition of amazement and pleasure.
Confidence | Henry JamesFor who, while tears are falling, will pause to handle the wreaths, and find whether they are genuine?
Solomon and Solomonic Literature | Moncure Daniel ConwayThere was a moment's pause, and Doa Inez returned into the saloon, which was now beginning rapidly to fill.
British Dictionary definitions for pause
/ (pɔːz) /
to cease an action temporarily; stop
to hesitate; delay: she replied without pausing
a temporary stop or rest, esp in speech or action; short break
prosody another word for caesura
Also called: fermata music a continuation of a note or rest beyond its normal length: Usual symbol:
give pause to to cause to hesitate
Origin of pause
1Derived forms of pause
- pausal, adjective
- pauser, noun
- pausing, noun, adjective
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with pause
see give pause.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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