intermission

noun

in·​ter·​mis·​sion ˌin-tər-ˈmi-shən How to pronounce intermission (audio)
1
: an interval between the parts of an entertainment (such as the acts of a play)
2
: the act of intermitting : the state of being intermitted
intermissionless adjective

Examples of intermission in a Sentence

We'll return after a brief intermission. an awkward intermission between speeches
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The musical, which opened on Broadway in 2003 based on the 1995 Gregory Maguire novel, has a 2 hour and 45 minute runtime (plus a 15 minute intermission). Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 1 Nov. 2024 The Hawks would have been well-positioned to take that lead into the first intermission, but Tyler Bertuzzi and Wyatt Kaiser committed back-to-back penalties to create a five-on-three. Phil Thompson, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2024 First came the curious talk surrounding the 10-minute intermission that bisects the movie — a commercially challenging choice that nonetheless feels integral to its construction. Patrick Brzeski, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Sep. 2024 The Brutalist spans 33 years on screen and over three and a half hours of runtime, including a 15-minute intermission at its midpoint. Alison Willmore, Vulture, 7 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for intermission 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English intermyssyown, from Latin intermission-, intermissio, from intermittere

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of intermission was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near intermission

Cite this Entry

“Intermission.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intermission. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

intermission

noun
in·​ter·​mis·​sion ˌint-ər-ˈmish-ən How to pronounce intermission (audio)
1
: pause entry 1 sense 1, interruption
work without intermission
2
: a pause or interval between the parts of an entertainment (as the acts of a play)

Medical Definition

intermission

noun
in·​ter·​mis·​sion ˌint-ər-ˈmish-ən How to pronounce intermission (audio)
: the space of time between two paroxysms of a disease compare arrest, cure entry 1 sense 1, remission

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