interlude

UK: /ˈɪntə^rluːd/ US: /ˈɪntɚˌlud/ ,(in′tər lo̅o̅d′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

in•ter•lude /ˈɪntɚˌlud/   n. [countable]

1. an episode, period, or space that comes between others:
   a quiet interlude between storms.
2. Show Business a short musical piece between the acts of a play.

See -lud-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

in•ter•lude  (in′tər lo̅o̅d′), n. 

1. an intervening episode, period, space, etc.
2. Literature, Show Business a short dramatic piece, esp. of a light or farcical character, formerly introduced between the parts or acts of miracle and morality plays or given as part of other entertainments.
3. Literature, Show Business one of the early English farces or comedies, as those written by John Heywood, which grew out of such pieces.
4. any intermediate performance or entertainment, as between the acts of a play.
5. Music and Dance an instrumental passage or a piece of music rendered between the parts of a song, church service, drama, etc.

• Medieval Latin interlūdium, equivalent. to Latin inter- inter- + lūd(us) play + -ium -ium
• Middle English 1275–1325

in′ter•lu′di•al, adj. 
Synonyms

• 1. interval, respite, intermission, pause.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

interlude / ˈɪntəˌluːd/ noun

1. a period of time or different activity between longer periods, processes, or events; episode or interval
2. a short dramatic piece played separately or as part of a longer entertainment, common in 16th-century England
3. a brief piece of music, dance, etc, given between the sections of another performance

Etymology: 14th Century: from Medieval Latin interlūdium, from Latin inter- + lūdus play