interlude

noun

in·​ter·​lude ˈin-tər-ˌlüd How to pronounce interlude (audio)
1
: an intervening or interruptive period, space, or event : interval
2
: a musical composition inserted between the parts of a longer composition, a drama, or a religious service
3
: a usually short simple play or dramatic entertainment

Examples of interlude in a Sentence

She left for a brief interlude. He has resumed his acting career after a two-year interlude. They always met in the city for their romantic interludes. a drama with musical interludes
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.
During these interludes, there is no tomorrow to plan for or worry about — there’s just now. Sofia Perez, Travel + Leisure, 30 Jan. 2025 Since the end of the Biden administration, America is presently enjoying a rare interlude in the post–World War II era: there is no Kennedy in public office anywhere in America. The Editors, National Review, 29 Jan. 2025 Quitting misfit jobs is just an interlude in their pursuit of AI excellence to gift humans a brave new age of passion and leisure, as AI agents do our bidding. Aditya Malik, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025 The faces look incredible, even in close-up cinematic interludes, but what really caught my eye was the lighting. Nate Anderson, Ars Technica, 20 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for interlude 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English enterlude, from Medieval Latin interludium, from Latin inter- + ludus play — more at ludicrous

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of interlude was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near interlude

Cite this Entry

“Interlude.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/interlude. Accessed 9 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

interlude

noun
in·​ter·​lude ˈint-ər-ˌlüd How to pronounce interlude (audio)
1
: a performance between the acts of a play
2
: an intervening period, space, or event : interval
3
: a musical composition inserted between the parts of a longer one, a drama, or a religious service

More from Merriam-Webster on interlude

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