the period of time marked off by or between two events, instants, etc the distance between two points, objects, etc a pause or interlude, as between periods of intense activity a short period between parts of a play, concert, film, etc; intermission the difference of pitch between two notes, either sounded simultaneously (harmonic interval) or in succession as in a musical part (melodic interval). An interval is calculated by counting the (inclusive) number of notes of the diatonic scale between the two notes the ratio of the frequencies of two sounds - at intervals ⇒
occasionally or intermittently with spaces between
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
in•ter•val /ˈɪntɚvəl/USA pronunciation
n. [countable]
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- a period of time coming between two others:An interval of 50 years of peace then followed.
- a space between things, points, limits, etc.:The workers planned an interval of ten feet between each fence post.
- Music and Dancethe difference in pitch between two musical tones sounded at the same time or one after the other.
- British Termsintermission.
- 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.
in•ter•val
(in′tər vəl),USA pronunciation n.
in•ter•val•ic, in•ter•val•lic
(in′tər val′ik),USA pronunciation adj.
- an intervening period of time:an interval of 50 years.
- a period of temporary cessation; pause:intervals between the volleys of gunfire.
- a space between things, points, limits, etc.;
interspace:an interval of ten feet between posts. - [Math.]
- Mathematicsthe totality of points on a line between two designated points or endpoints that may or may not be included.
- Mathematicsany generalization of this to higher dimensions, as a rectangle with sides parallel to the coordinate axes.
- the space between soldiers or units in military formation.
- Music and Dancethe difference in pitch between two tones, as between two tones sounded simultaneously (harmonic interval)or between two tones sounded successively (melodic interval.)
- Geography, Dialect Terms[Chiefly New Eng.]intervale.
- Games[Cards.]a period in a game for placing bets.
- British Termsan intermission, as between the acts of a play.
- 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.
- at particular periods of time;
- Latin intervallum interval, literally, space between two palisades. See inter-, wall
- Middle English intervall(e) 1250–1300
- 3.See corresponding entry in Unabridged opening, gap, separation, gulf.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
'time interval' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
current density
- effective sound pressure
- gate
- headway
- interim
- interspace
- metre
- peak
- period
- solar day
- tract