intermissions

Halftime-like theater breaks

Intermissions are scheduled breaks during a performance or event.

A play, concert, or sporting event pauses at intermission to let the audience stretch, use restrooms, or buy refreshments.

The word can extend to any pause in ongoing activity: We worked through without intermission.

In British English, interval is more common for theatrical breaks.

theater

entr'acte

Break between acts

curtainFabric hung for privacy
actDeed or performance
lobbyEntryway or influence-seeking

programme · playbill · usher · auditorium · foyer · proscenium · matinee

break

pause

Temporary cessation of activity

recessPause in activity
halftimeMidpoint break in games
respiteShort pause from hardship

breather · hiatus · lull · timeout · downtime · midpoint

sports

halftime

Midpoint break in games

quartersAssigned living accommodations
periodsSpans of time
inningsTeam batting periods

rounds · sets · timeout · substitution · replay · scoreboard · commentary · sideline

entertainment

raffle

Lottery for prizes

giveawayFree item or betraying clue
announcementPublic declaration of information
previewAdvance showing sample

Categories

Broadwaymusicals, musical, Tony Award, musical theatre, theaters
Pac-ManPac-Man, Ms. Pac-Man, Clyde, ghosts, maze
downtimebreak, breaks, nap, rest, relaxation
theaterplays, stage, play, onstage, acting
Auditorium Thingsstages, seating, aisles, balconies, microphones
Lapsesslip, slip-ups, error, mistakes, blunder

Opposites

continuity vs. break

intermissionscontinuations

Things that proceed onward

continuous play · performances · marathons · continuous flow

structural position in performance

intermissionsacts

Deeds or play sections

performances · shows · finales · openings · preludes

Family

Familiarity: Top 50,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G