pause

pause · noun/verb

imported

Definitions

noun/verb

  1. 1.

    A temporary stop or rest in action or speech.

  2. 2.

    To stop temporarily; to hesitate or wait.

  3. 3.

    A break or interruption in a process or activity.

  4. 4.

    To cause something to stop temporarily.

Forms

plural: pauses

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    give someone pause — to cause someone to hesitate or reconsider
  • •
    pause for thought — a moment to consider something carefully
  • •
    pregnant pause — a meaningful silence suggesting something significant

Related words

Antonyms: continue, proceed, resume
See also: hesitate, stop, wait
Synonyms: break, hesitation, intermission, stop

Etymology

From Latin pausa ("a halt, stop, pause"), from Greek pausis ("a stopping, ceasing"), from pauein ("to stop, cause to cease").