pause

1 of 2

noun

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

pause

2 of 2

verb

paused; pausing

intransitive verb

1
: to stop temporarily
2
: to linger for a time

transitive verb

: to cause to pause : stop

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
Noun
Production of this documentary began in 2017 and, after a pause in filming during the pandemic years, was completed in summer of 2023. David L. Coddon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Mar. 2024 The tensions over Rafah come as new cease-fire talks are underway in Qatar, with hopes that mediators can get Israel and Hamas to agree to a deal that includes a pause in fighting for the release of some hostages and Palestinian prisoners. Hazem Balousha, Washington Post, 19 Mar. 2024 Their timing, just after a pause between acts that included a surprise pop-up activation onstage, was exquisite. Jesse Green, New York Times, 18 Mar. 2024 In February, a draft proposal rejected by Israel included a 40-day pause in all military operations and the exchange of Palestinian prisoners for Israeli hostages. Lawrence Richard, Fox News, 15 Mar. 2024 Paltrow takes slow, deliberate pauses between each of her sentences. USA TODAY, 14 Mar. 2024 The judge stopped Biden’s 100-day pause on deportations shortly after the president took office. Maria Sacchetti, Washington Post, 9 Mar. 2024 The Biden administration has been working to secure a six-week pause in the violence but has so far failed to get all the parties to agree. Arpan Lobo, Detroit Free Press, 8 Mar. 2024 The Biden administration insists Israel has already accepted the broad terms of a six-week pause while Hamas is holding out. Alex Marquardt, CNN, 7 Mar. 2024
Verb
It’s taken an age to get the gang back together—the follow-up film has long been gestating, and after production finally began, it was paused over the summer of 2023 as a result of the SAG-AFTRA strike. Radhika Seth, Vogue, 22 Mar. 2024 But at his most poetic, Jude pauses for a shot of a clock without arms, then a brief dissertation on Angela’s fear of a dangerous 250-kilometer highway where more than 600 Christian crosses mark traffic fatalities — the ultimate, respectful tribute to Weekend and its recently deceased master. Armond White, National Review, 22 Mar. 2024 After pausing briefly and placing his hands on his knees, Neace stepped toward the officers. The Enquirer, 21 Mar. 2024 The assessment fueled hope that a deal to pause hostilities and free additional Israeli hostages could eventually be reached as senior negotiators convene in Qatar on Friday. Michael Birnbaum, Washington Post, 21 Mar. 2024 Canada paused the export of non-lethal military gear to Israel since January as Trudeau, who has repeatedly asserted Israel’s right to defend itself, continues to take increasingly critical stances over the Israeli military operation in the Gaza Strip. Peter Aitken, Fox News, 20 Mar. 2024 Alito extends order pausing new Texas immigration law for now Alito extends pause of Texas immigration law that allows state to arrest migrants Judge rejects Texas lawsuit against Biden immigration policy More Camilo Montoya-Galvez Camilo Montoya-Galvez is the immigration reporter at CBS News. Camilo Montoya-Galvez, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2024 The Biden administration filed an emergency application in September asking the Supreme Court to pause the injunction, saying that the government was entitled to express its views and to try to persuade others to take action. Adam Liptak, New York Times, 18 Mar. 2024 In the city of Milwaukee, garbage collection will be paused on Good Friday, the Friday before Easter Sunday. Alex Groth, Journal Sentinel, 15 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pause.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Latin pausa, from Greek pausis, from pauein to stop

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

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

Dictionary Entries Near pause

Cite this Entry

“Pause.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pause. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

pause

1 of 2 noun
1
: a temporary stop or rest
2
: the sign 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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