# interlude

/ˈɪntɝˌɫud/ (US) · /ˈɪntəlˌuːd/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/interlude
Updated: 2026-05-08

## Definition

a short period of time between two longer events. It is often a break in a play or a piece of music where you can rest or think about what you just saw.

For teachers: a short period of time that intervenes between longer events or periods; specifically, a musical or dramatic piece performed between the main parts of a larger work.

## Examples

- The band played a short acoustic interlude between their louder songs.
- During the twenty-minute interlude, the audience moved to the lobby for refreshments before the second act began.
- The brief interlude of peace between the two wars allowed the nation to rebuild its infrastructure, though the underlying political tensions remained largely unresolved.

## Usage notes

- Often used with the preposition 'of' to describe the nature of the break, such as an 'interlude of calm'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.