INTERVAL


Meaning of INTERVAL in English

in ‧ ter ‧ val W3 AC /ˈɪntəv ə l $ -tər-/ BrE AmE noun [countable]

[ Date: 1300-1400 ; Language: Old French ; Origin: entreval , from Latin intervallum 'space between castle walls, interval' ]

1 . the period of time between two events, activities etc:

He left the room, returning after a short interval with a message.

interval between

The interval between arrest and trial can be up to six months.

2 . sunny/bright intervals short periods of fine weather between cloudy, rainy weather etc

3 . at weekly/20-minute etc intervals every week, 20 minutes etc:

The trains run at half-hourly intervals.

4 . at regular intervals

a) something that happens at regular intervals happens often:

The phone rang at regular intervals all afternoon.

b) objects that are placed at regular intervals have all been placed at the same distance from each other:

Trees had been planted at regular intervals.

5 . British English a short period of time between the parts of a play, concert etc SYN intermission American English :

We can get some drinks in the interval.

6 . technical the amount of difference in ↑ pitch between two musical notes

• • •

THESAURUS

▪ stage the raised area on which the actors, musicians etc perform:

He came on stage to rapturous applause.

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The band will appear live on stage for the first time in three years.

▪ the stalls British English , the orchestra American English the lower level of seats:

He had a seat in the stalls.

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We paid $100 for a seat in the orchestra.

▪ the circle British English , the balcony the higher level of seats:

They were sitting in the balcony.

▪ the orchestra pit the space below the stage where the musicians sit:

The actress fell into the orchestra pit.

▪ box office the place in a theatre where you buy tickets:

Collect your tickets at the box office.

▪ programme British English , program American English a small book that you buy when you go to the theatre that gives information about the play and the performers:

His name is not in the programme.

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Do you want me to buy you a program?

▪ interval British English , intermission BrE formal and American English a short period of time between the parts of a play or show when the audience can talk or have a drink:

We got a drink in the interval.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English.      Longman - Словарь современного английского языка.