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 San Jose Running time: 2 hours, 30 minutes, one intermission Tickets: 408-792-4111. Karen D'souza, The Mercury News, 20 Mar. 2024 Whoever mentioned the Maine court case at intermission proved to be clairvoyant. Mary Norris, The New Yorker, 18 Mar. 2024 Bethesda Christian, which led 20-13 at intermission and 34-26 after three quarters, outscored Dallas First Baptist 14-7 in the final period to claim the crown. Mike Waters, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Feb. 2024 Tristan Anderson Olympian Boys basketball Only a freshman, Anderson scored 18 points, 14 before intermission, to lead the Eagles past Monte Vista 50-36 for the CIF San Diego Section Division 4 championship. Steve Brand, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Feb. 2024 Saturday’s game will include in-game elements, including a shootout with skaters from Mosaic Hockey Collective during the second intermission, to celebrate Black History month. John Shipley, Twin Cities, 16 Feb. 2024 Trailing by nine with 4:36 to play in the second quarter, Valley managed to cut it to 18-15 on three consecutive jumpers by Reese Cruse, but in the final minute Newcastle scored the last four points to take a 22-15 edge into the intermission. Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Mar. 2024 Chay Yew directs the play, which runs about two hours, 30 minutes with intermission. Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Feb. 2024 The Super Bowl has come a long way since its original days of being just like any other football game — back when halftime was nothing more than an intermission accompanied by the sounds of a marching band on the field. Jameelah Nasheed, Essence, 11 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'intermission.' 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

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 29 Mar. 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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