Definition

1. Noun:

   • A temporary stop or break in action or speech: A short period when an activity, process, or speech is intentionally stopped before continuing.
   • A brief interval of silence or inactivity: A momentary cessation, often for reflection, rest, or effect.

2. Verb:

   • To stop an action or speech temporarily: To cease doing or saying something for a short time.
   • To hesitate or wait briefly: To interrupt a process or activity before resuming it.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • There was a brief pause in the conversation before she answered.
  • The music ended, followed by a dramatic pause.

• Verb:

  • He paused to catch his breath during the run.
  • "Let me think," she said, pausing for a moment.

Advanced Usage

• "To give (someone) pause": To cause someone to hesitate or reconsider.

  • The high cost of the project gave the investors pause.

• "Without pause": Continuously, without stopping.

  • She worked for hours without pause.

Variants and Related Words

• Pausation (n, rare): The act of pausing.
• Pausative (adj, rare): Having the quality of causing a pause.

Synonyms

• Noun: Break, intermission, halt, interruption, lull.
• Verb: Halt, stop, cease, break, hesitate, delay.

Related Phrases and Phrasal Verbs

(Note: "Pause" is not commonly used in phrasal verb constructions. Its meaning is typically expressed directly.) - Pause for breath: To stop briefly to rest or breathe. - He had to pause for breath after climbing the stairs.

Related Idioms

• Pregnant pause: A pause that is full of meaning or significance, often creating suspense.
  • After the shocking news, there was a pregnant pause in the room.

Noun

1. temporary inactivity
2. a time interval during which there is a temporary cessation of something

Verb

1. cease an action temporarily
   • We pause for station identification
   • let's break for lunch
2. interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing
   • The speaker paused