Definition of "hiatus" in English

noun

1. A gap in a series, making it incomplete.

2. An interruption, break, pause or absence.

   • The band decided to go on hiatus, citing creative differences.

3. An temporary break from work, especially one which is unexpected.

4. (geology) A gap in geological strata.

5. (anatomy) An opening in an organ.

   • Hiatus aorticus is an opening in the diaphragm through which aorta and thoracic duct pass.

6. (prosody, phonetics, sometimes uncountable) A syllable break between two vowels, without an intervening consonant.