pausing
v. B1 Intermediate US //ˈpɔzɪŋ// UK //pˈɔːzɪŋ// paus·ing
v. stopping what you are doing for a short time before starting again. You do this when you need to think, rest, or wait for someone else.
v. the present participle of 'pause'; refers to a temporary cessation of an action or speech before proceeding. Often used to describe a deliberate break in flow for emphasis or reflection.
She is pausing to catch her breath.
The speaker kept pausing between sentences to let the audience process the complex information.
By pausing briefly before delivering the final line of the play, the actor ensured that the emotional weight of the scene resonated fully with the silent audience.
Usage
As a present participle, it can function as the continuous form of the verb or as a gerund noun describing the act of stopping.