interlude

noun

in·​ter·​lude ˈin-tər-ˌlüd How to pronounce interlude (audio)
Synonyms of interlude
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

Synonyms of interlude

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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.
Additionally, the frequent interludes of dialogue from the Idlewild movie released at the same time don’t add much to the proceedings, and function as more of an inside joke than anything else. — John Hugar, SPIN, 26 Aug. 2026 It Brizé’s fourth time in competition at Venice after the Fipresci Prize winning A Woman’s Life as well as Another World and romantic interlude Out of Season, starring Guillaume Canet and Rohrwacher. — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 24 Aug. 2026 The Thai public was willing to tolerate only short interludes of military rule, and coup makers had no choice but to promise the imminent restoration of democracy. — Duncan McCargo, Foreign Affairs, 24 Aug. 2026 There’s a spike about an hour before first pitch, a rock-and-roll interlude to spur his adrenaline. — Zack Meisel, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for interlude

Word History

Etymology

Middle English enterlude "dramatic entertainment," borrowed from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French entreludie, borrowed from Medieval Latin interlūdium, from Latin inter- inter- + lūdus "play, game" (derivative of lūdere "to play") + -ium, suffix of compound nouns — 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

Rhymes for interlude

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Browse Nearby Words

interlucent
interlude
interludial
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Cite this Entry

“Interlude.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/interlude. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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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

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about interlude

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