pause
Momentary stop midstream
Pause is a temporary stop or break in activity, speech, or movement.
When you pause, you halt briefly before continuing: She paused to catch her breath before climbing the next flight.
A pause in conversation might signal hesitation, emphasis, or simply a moment to think.
In media playback, the pause button suspends the action without ending it, letting you resume where you left off.
The word carries an implication of continuation—unlike a stop, a pause is understood to be temporary.
Scheduled performance pause
- interludePause between sections
- intervalDuration between two points
- hiatusBreak in activity
- respiteShort pause from hardship
breather · time-out · recess · interruption · gap · lull · suspension · stoppage
Cessation of activity
- fermataSustained note symbol
- caesuraPause within a line
- beatRhythmic pulse or strike
- measureUnit of quantity
tempo · rubato · silence · tacet · cutoff · ritardando · hold · suspension
Rhythmic pulse or strike
- silenceTotal lack of sound
- breathAir taken in
- emphasisStress given to something
- timingArt of choosing moments
caesura · phrasing · delivery · cadence · inflection · pacing · comma · ellipsis
Become less tense
- unwindRelease accumulated tension
- rechargeRestore electrical capacity
- recuperateHeal after illness
- recoverRegain health or possession
rejuvenate · refresh · restore · decompress · siesta · nap · breather · respite
Pause in uncertainty
- falterLose momentum or steadiness
- waverHesitate or fluctuate
- delayEnforced waiting period
- waitDelay until later
linger · tarry · bide · vacillate · dither · stall · demur · hedge
Recreation or staged drama
- stopCease all motion
- resumeCareer summary document
- rewindReturn to beginning
- fast-forwardAccelerated playback mode
buffer · freeze-frame · skip · mute · unmute · scrub · timestamp · loading
Brief period of time
- breathAir taken in
- step-backBrief rearward movement
- reconsiderThink about something anew
- regroupReassemble after dispersal
reset · decompress · center · ground · reflect · contemplation · mindfulness · composure
intermission
Scheduled performance pause
respite · breather · time-out · recess · interruption · gap · lull · suspension · stoppage · caesura
rest
Cessation of activity
measure · tempo · rubato · silence · tacet · cutoff · ritardando · hold · suspension
beat
Rhythmic pulse or strike
timing · caesura · phrasing · delivery · cadence · inflection · pacing · comma · ellipsis
relax
Become less tense
- unwindRelease accumulated tension
- rechargeRestore electrical capacity
- recuperateHeal after illness
recover · rejuvenate · refresh · restore · decompress · siesta · nap · breather · respite · timeout
hesitate
Pause in uncertainty
wait · linger · tarry · bide · vacillate · dither · stall · demur · hedge · equivocate
play
Recreation or staged drama
fast-forward · buffer · freeze-frame · skip · mute · unmute · scrub · timestamp · loading · buffering
moment
Brief period of time
- breathAir taken in
- step-backBrief rearward movement
- reconsiderThink about something anew
regroup · reset · decompress · center · ground · reflect · contemplation · mindfulness · composure
pausecontinuation
Act of proceeding further
continuance · persistence · progression · ceaselessness · steadiness
pausedecisiveness
Ability to choose firmly
resolution · determination · certainty · confidence · resoluteness
- pause buttonTemporary playback halt
- awkward pauseUncomfortable lull in conversation
- hit pauseStop playback temporarily
- dramatic pauseIntentional silence for emphasis
- pregnant pauseSignificant silence conveying unspoken meaning
- long pause