noun

intermission

in-ter-MISH-uhn/ˌɪntərˈmɪʃn/

A temporary break during or between activities or events.

We stretch our legs during the intermission between acts.

Theater stage with curtain closed, audience members stretching and chatting beside their seats during a break.

Etymology

interLatinbetween

+missLatinto let go or send

+ionLatinact or process

“Between” and “let go” combine in a verb meaning to leave off or leave an interval. Its noun came to name the pause between portions of a performance.

In context

Town Meeting TV47:33

So right now we'll take a quick time for intermission, but during this time let's all take a moment to do one call of action together um and contact our legislators

Free Her VT Town Hall - 2/6/2023

More examples

The concert has a fifteen-minute intermission.
After a brief intermission, the debate resumes.
Fans buy snacks during the intermissions at hockey games.

Forms

intermission · intermissions

Similar words

break: A broader term for time away from any activity.
pause: Often suggests a shorter stop, not a scheduled interval.
recess: Usually a scheduled break in school or official proceedings.