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
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
Melinda Salchert, Southern Living, 27 Dec. 2025
The agency said the pause allows federal officials to conduct a comprehensive review of the program’s screening and vetting procedures.
—Maykel Gonzalez, Miami Herald, 27 Dec. 2025
Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 28 Dec. 2025
As the days grow longer, locals and travelers spill into beer gardens for ice-cold pints and people-watching, wander the Grand or Royal Canals, and pause to listen to buskers on Grafton Street.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 27 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pause
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Noun
The production pause also gives the company an opportunity to invest in site enhancements at their Clermont facility, putting them in a great position for efficiency and innovation once production eventually resumes.
—Melinda Salchert, Southern Living, 27 Dec. 2025
The agency said the pause allows federal officials to conduct a comprehensive review of the program’s screening and vetting procedures.
—Maykel Gonzalez, Miami Herald, 27 Dec. 2025
Verb
Kon Knueppel’s entertaining start has been paused, but perhaps not for long.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 28 Dec. 2025
As the days grow longer, locals and travelers spill into beer gardens for ice-cold pints and people-watching, wander the Grand or Royal Canals, and pause to listen to buskers on Grafton Street.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 27 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pause
Cite this Entry
“Pause.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pause. Accessed 31 Dec. 2025.
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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