interval

The time or space between two things or events.

• There was a brief interval between calls.
• Take the medicine at regular intervals.
• The trees were planted at intervals of five metres.

How to use it: an interval between A and B (There was a short interval between the two calls.); at intervals of a stated amount (The posts stand at intervals of two metres.)

Similar words: gap, space

Common phrases: regular interval, short interval, interval between something

A short break between parts of a play, concert, or other performance.

• We bought drinks during the interval.
• The play has a fifteen-minute interval.
• After the interval, the orchestra performed a new piece.

Similar words: intermission, break

Common phrases: during the interval, after the interval, twenty-minute interval

The difference in how high or low two musical notes sound.

• The interval between these notes is small.
• She can sing wide intervals accurately.
• An octave is the interval between one C and the next.

How to use it: an interval of a musical distance (These notes form an interval of a fifth.)

Common phrases: musical interval, wide interval, interval of something

A range of numbers containing every number between its ends, sometimes including the ends.

• Choose a number in this interval.
• A closed interval includes both endpoints.
• The function is positive throughout the interval from two to four.

Common phrases: open interval, closed interval, bounded interval

A lunch or tea break between periods of play during a day of cricket.

• Rain began during the tea interval.
• The players left the field for the lunch interval.
• Play resumed after the interval with a new bowler.

Similar words: break

Common phrases: lunch interval, tea interval, scheduled interval