interval — English Dictionary

Noun

1. A distance in space.

   Examples

   'Twixt host and host but narrow space was left, / A dreadful interval.

   More examples (1)

   [M]any attempts were made to prevent the spreading of it [the fire] by pulling down Houses, and making great Intervals, but all in vain, the Fire seizing upon the Timber and Rubbish, and so continuing it set even through those spaces […]

2. A period of time.

   Examples

   the interval between contractions during childbirth

3. The difference (a ratio or logarithmic measure) in pitch between two notes, often referring to those two pitches themselves (otherwise known as a dyad).

4. A connected section of the real line which may be empty or have a length of zero.

5. An intermission.

   Usage

   • India
   • UK usage

6. half time, a scheduled intermission between the periods of play.

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   Spain made three substitutions at the interval, sending on former Arsenal captain Fabregas, Chelsea's Juan Mata and Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina for Xavi, David Silva and Casillas.

7. Either of the two breaks, at lunch and tea, between the three sessions of a day's play.

Noun

1. a definite length of time marked off by two instants

   Synonyms

   time interval

   Broader terms

   measurequantityamount

2. a set containing all points (or all real numbers) between two given endpoints

   Broader terms

   set

3. the distance between things

   Synonyms

   separation

   Broader terms

   distance

   Examples

   fragile items require separation and cushioning

4. the difference in pitch between two notes

   Synonyms

   musical interval

   Broader terms

   musical notation