harmonic interval

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

harmon′ic in′terval. 

1. Music, Music and Dance See under interval (def. 6).

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

in•ter•val /ˈɪntɚvəl/   n. [countable]

1. a period of time coming between two others:
   An interval of 50 years of peace then followed.
2. a space between things, points, limits, etc.:
   The workers planned an interval of ten feet between each fence post.
3. Music and Dance the difference in pitch between two musical tones sounded at the same time or one after the other.
4. British Terms intermission.

Idioms

5. Idioms at intervals:
   • now and then:
     We met at intervals over the years.
   • here and there:
     We'd see scrub grass and trees growing at intervals.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

in•ter•val  (in′tər vəl), n. 

1. an intervening period of time:
   an interval of 50 years.
2. a period of temporary cessation; pause:
   intervals between the volleys of gunfire.
3. a space between things, points, limits, etc.;
   interspace:
   an interval of ten feet between posts.
4. [Math.]
   • Mathematics the totality of points on a line between two designated points or endpoints that may or may not be included.
   • Mathematics any generalization of this to higher dimensions, as a rectangle with sides parallel to the coordinate axes.
5. the space between soldiers or units in military formation.
6. Music and Dance the difference in pitch between two tones, as between two tones sounded simultaneously (harmonic interval)or between two tones sounded successively (melodic interval.)
7. Geography, Dialect Terms [Chiefly New Eng.] intervale.
8. Games [Cards.] a period in a game for placing bets.
9. British Terms an intermission, as between the acts of a play.
10. Idioms at intervals:
    • at particular periods of time;
      now and then:
      At intervals, there were formal receptions at the governor's mansion.
    • at particular places, with gaps in between:
      detour signs at intervals along the highway.

• Latin intervallum interval, literally, space between two palisades. See inter-, wall
• Middle English intervall(e) 1250–1300

in•ter•val•ic, in•ter•val•lic  (in′tər val′ik), adj.  Synonyms

• 3. opening, gap, separation, gulf.