1
: a temporary stop
2
a
: a break in a verse
b
: a brief suspension of the voice to indicate the limits and relations of sentences and their parts
3
: temporary inaction especially as caused by uncertainty : hesitation
4
a
: the sign denoting a fermata
b
: a mark (such as a period or comma) used in writing or printing to indicate or correspond to a pause of voice
5
: a reason or cause for pausing (as to reconsider)
a thought that should give one pause
6
: a function of an electronic device that pauses a recording
Synonyms
Examples of pause in a Sentence
Noun
There was a brief pause in the conversation.
After a pause the teacher continued the lesson.
He hit pause on the player and explained the significance of the song's lyrics.
Please hit the pause button on the remote control.
Verb
She paused for a few seconds before crossing the street.
We paused briefly to look at the scenery.
He talked for over an hour without pausing.
He picked up the remote control and paused the movie.
Recent Examples on the Web
Brady Dale, Axios, 5 Nov. 2024
Ahmed said that as long as the platforms’ approach to false and misleading content remain the same, a temporary pause on political ads during election week is likely to have little impact.
—Clare Duffy, CNN, 5 Nov. 2024
Vinamrata Chaturvedi, Quartz, 10 Nov. 2024
This is not just a new drink lineup, but a signal, a cultural zeitgeist, inviting customers to pause, sip, and indulge.
—Kate Hardcastle, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pause 
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Noun
The latest: In response to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests orchestrated by Coinbase related to the pause letters, the FDIC responded with the descriptions of 23 different communications entered into evidence
last week in a case over the records.
—Brady Dale, Axios, 5 Nov. 2024
Ahmed said that as long as the platforms’ approach to false and misleading content remain the same, a temporary pause on political ads during election week is likely to have little impact.
—Clare Duffy, CNN, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
After a high-energy election week, this one offers a chance to pause and assess the market and broader macroeconomic outlook in the aftermath of the election.
—Vinamrata Chaturvedi, Quartz, 10 Nov. 2024
This is not just a new drink lineup, but a signal, a cultural zeitgeist, inviting customers to pause, sip, and indulge.
—Kate Hardcastle, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pause
Articles Related to pause
Dictionary Entries Near pause
Cite this Entry
“Pause.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pause. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pause
1 of 2 noun1
: a temporary stop or rest
2
: the sign {fermata} placed over or under a musical note, chord, or rest to show that it is to be held longer than usual
3
: a reason for pausing
a thought that should give pause
pause
2 of 2 verb
paused; pausing
1
: to stop temporarily
2
: to linger for a time
pause on a high note
Etymology
Noun
Middle English pause "a temporary stop, pause," from Latin pausa "a pause" — related to repose entry 1
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