Definition of "pause" in English

verb

1. (intransitive) To take a temporary rest, take a break for a short period after an effort.

2. (transitive) To stop (an activity) for a while.

3. (intransitive) To interrupt an activity and wait.

   • When telling the scary story, he paused for effect.

4. (intransitive) To hesitate; to hold back; to delay.

5. (transitive) To halt the play or playback of, temporarily, so that it can be resumed from the same point.

   • to pause a song, a video, or a computer game

6. (intransitive, obsolete) To consider; to reflect.

noun

1. A temporary stop or rest; an intermission of action; interruption; suspension; cessation.

2. A short time for relaxing and doing something else.

3. (figurative) Hesitation; suspense; doubt.

   • to take pause
   • to give pause

4. In writing and printing, a mark indicating the place and nature of an arrest of voice in reading; a punctuation mark.

   • Teach the pupil to mind the pauses.

5. A break or paragraph in writing.

6. (music) A sign indicating continuance of a note or rest.

7. Alternative letter-case form of Pause (“a button that pauses or resumes something”).

interjection

1. (slang) Used immediately after a statement to indicate that there was no innuendo or homosexual meaning intended, especially when such a meaning is a reasonable interpretation.