First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
1pause
noun \ˈpȯz\
: a temporary stop : a period of time in which something is stopped before it is started again
: a control that you use when you want to stop a recorded song, movie, etc., for a short time
music : the sign 𝄐 that is placed over or under a musical note, rest, etc., to show that it should be held longer than usual
Full Definition of PAUSE
1
: a temporary stop
2
a : a break in a verse b : a brief suspension of the voice to indicate the limits and relations of sentences and their parts
3
: temporary inaction especially as caused by uncertainty : hesitation
4
a : the sign denoting a fermata b : a mark (as a period or comma) used in writing or printing to indicate or correspond to a pause of voice
5
: a reason or cause for pausing (as to reconsider) <a thought that should give one pause>
6
: a function of an electronic device that pauses a recording
See pause defined for English-language learners
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Origin of PAUSE
Middle English, from Latin pausa, from Greek pausis, from pauein to stop
2pause
verb
: to stop doing something for a short time before doing it again
: to cause (a recorded song, movie, etc.) to stop for a short time by pushing a button on a device
pausedpaus·ing
Full Definition of PAUSE
intransitive verb
1
: to stop temporarily
2
: to linger for a time
transitive verb
: to cause to pause : stop
See pause defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of PAUSE
15th century
Related to PAUSE
- Synonyms
- break, catch one's breath, hold one's horses
PAUSES Defined for Kids
1pause
noun \ˈpȯz\
Definition of PAUSE for Kids
1
: a temporary stop
2
: a sign ·̑ above a musical note or rest to show that the note or rest is to be held longer
2pause
verb
pausedpaus·ing
Definition of PAUSE for Kids
: to stop for a time : make a temporary stop <He paused, perhaps waiting for me to explain. — Gail Carson Levine, Ella Enchanted>
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