pause

A2 · Elementary Computing

v. to stop a video or music for a moment so you can play it again from the same spot.

v. to temporarily halt the playback of digital or analog media.

“Can you pause the movie while I go get some water?”

“The software is designed to pause the download automatically if the internet connection becomes unstable.”

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun

n. a short period of time when nothing happens or no one speaks.

n. a temporary interval of silence or inactivity.

“There was a long pause on the phone before he finally answered.”

“A sudden pause in the conversation made everyone in the room feel slightly uncomfortable.”

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun Computing

n. the button on a remote or screen that stops a video or song.

n. a control or icon used to interrupt and later resume a process or media stream.

“Hit pause so we don't miss any of the show.”

“The user interface features a prominent pause icon that toggles to a play symbol when activated.”

C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Music Technical

n. a mark in music that tells the player to hold a note for longer than usual.

n. a sign indicating the prolongation of a note or rest beyond its nominal value.

“The conductor held the pause until the last echo died away in the hall.”

“The composer placed a pause over the final chord to create a sense of unresolved tension before the movement concluded.”

C1 · Advanced Slang · Informal

interj. you say this after a sentence that might sound like a joke about sex to show you didn't mean it that way.

interj. used as a pragmatic marker to disclaim any unintended sexual innuendo in a preceding statement.

“That banana is huge, pause.”

“After realizing his comment about the athlete's physique could be misinterpreted, he quickly added 'pause' to the end of his sentence.”