interval

 
Pronunciation: /ˈɪntəv(ə)l/

noun

  • 1an intervening time: after his departure, there was an interval of many years without any meetings the day should be dry with sunny intervals
  • a component of activity in interval training: they ran, sprinted, and jogged for four 15-minute intervals at two different times
  • 2a pause or break in activity: an interval of mourning
  • British a period of time separating parts of a theatrical or musical performance.
  • a break between the parts of a sports match: United led 3-0 at the interval
  • 3a space between two things; a gap.
  • 4the difference in pitch between two sounds.

Phrases

at intervals

  • 1with time between; not continuously: the light flashed at intervals
  • 2with spaces between: the path is marked with rocks at intervals

Derivatives

intervallic

Pronunciation: /-ˈvalɪk/
adjective

Origin:

Middle English: from Old French entrevalle, based on Latin intervallum 'space between ramparts, interval', from inter- 'between' + vallum 'rampart'