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 The record also received rave reviews, but a 1994 Wall Street Journal article called her credentials into question, despite Boss’ self-satirizing interludes on record in which her parents addressed the relative privilege of her Catholic-school upbringing. Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 13 Mar. 2024 The interludes of Gezo’s commentary are relatively short. Jessica Kiang, Variety, 18 Feb. 2024 America was a chimera and always had been, a brief interlude of mankind denying its own nature. Elliot Ackerman, WIRED, 8 Feb. 2024 Though the doc is less personal than his solo directorial debut, Strong Island, Ford nevertheless individualizes Power with his selective interludes of narration. Jourdain Searles, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Jan. 2024 This production was in part distinguished by a dance interlude between the two scenes. Michael Paulson, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2024 McLaughlin plays the younger Savage, Glover plays an older version, and the rapper himself appears in musical interludes teasing new material. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 8 Jan. 2024 Courtesy Choi Breaking’s name is derived from dancers hitting the floor during the instrumental interludes on a record—the break—at parties in the Bronx in the 1970s. Sean Gregory, TIME, 5 Mar. 2024 Luckily, Nolan gives us a break from the complicated science stuff in the form of a 15-minute Mediterranean interlude, in which Tenet gets to dress up in Talented Mr. Ripley drag — boating trips, cashmere polos, expensive gowns, how divine. Nate Jones, Vulture, 26 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'interlude.' 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 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 28 Mar. 2024.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!