PAUSE
Dictionary entry overview: What does pause mean?
• PAUSE (noun)
The noun PAUSE has 2 senses:
1. a time interval during which there is a temporary cessation of something
2. temporary inactivity
Familiarity information: PAUSE used as a noun is rare.
• PAUSE (verb)
The verb PAUSE has 2 senses:
1. interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing
2. cease an action temporarily
Familiarity information: PAUSE used as a verb is rare.
Dictionary entry details
• PAUSE (noun)
Meaning:
A time interval during which there is a temporary cessation of something
Classified under:
Nouns denoting time and temporal relations
Synonyms:
pause; suspension; intermission; interruption; break
Hypernyms ("pause" is a kind of...):
interval; time interval (a definite length of time marked off by two instants)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "pause"):
letup; lull (a pause during which things are calm or activities are diminished)
time-out (a brief suspension of play)
relief; respite; rest; rest period (a pause for relaxation)
halftime (an intermission between the first and second half of a game)
delay; hold; postponement; time lag; wait (time during which some action is awaited)
dead air (an inadvertent interruption in a broadcast during which there is no sound)
caesura (a pause or interruption (as in a conversation))
blackout (a suspension of radio or tv broadcasting)
lapse (a break or intermission in the occurrence of something)
Meaning:
Temporary inactivity
Classified under:
Nouns denoting acts or actions
Hypernyms ("pause" is a kind of...):
inactivity (being inactive; being less active)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "pause"):
break; recess; respite; time out (a pause from doing something (as work))
falter; faltering; hesitation; waver (the act of pausing uncertainly)
intermission (the act of suspending activity temporarily)
freeze; halt (an interruption or temporary suspension of progress or movement)
• PAUSE (verb)
Meaning:
Interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing
Classified under:
Verbs of being, having, spatial relations
Synonyms:
pause; hesitate
Context example:
The speaker paused
Hypernyms (to "pause" is one way to...):
delay (act later than planned, scheduled, or required)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "pause"):
hem and haw (utter 'hems' and 'haws'; indicated hesitation)
scruple (hesitate on moral grounds)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s whether INFINITIVE
Sentence example:
They pause a long time
Meaning:
Cease an action temporarily
Classified under:
Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing
Synonyms:
intermit; pause; break
Context examples:
We pause for station identification / let's break for lunch
Hypernyms (to "pause" is one way to...):
break up; cut off; disrupt; interrupt (make a break in)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "pause"):
breathe; catch one's breath; rest; take a breather (take a short break from one's activities in order to relax)
take five (take a break for five minutes)
take ten (take a ten minute break)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s
