/ˈɪntəvl ||; ˈɪntɚvḷ/noun[C] 1 a period of time between two events （两件事中的）间隔时间: There was a long interval between sending the letter and getting a reply. 信件寄出后很久才收到回信。
2 a short break separating the different parts of a play, film, concert, etc （戏剧、电影、音乐会等的）幕间休息，中场休息
3 [usu.pl] a short period during which sth different happens from what is happening for the rest of the time （在某过程中有不同事件穿插的）间歇: There'll be a few sunny intervals between the showers today. 今天将有阵雨，间中放晴。
Some words that have a similar meaning to interval are intermission, break, recess, interlude and pause. In British English we use interval for a break in a performance. The American English word is intermission. A break is especially used in connection with periods of work or study, for example a lunch/tea break in an office, factory or school The children play outside in the breaks at school. You've worked so hard you've earned a break. In American English a break at school is called (a) recess. In British English recess is a longer period of time when work or business stops, especially in Parliament or the law courts Parliament is in recess. the summer recess. An interlude is a short period of time that passes between two events, during which something different happens a peaceful interlude in the fightingand a pause is a short temporary stop in action or speech After a moment's pause, she answered. intermission、break、recess、interlude及pause的意思跟interval也差不多。演出中的休息时间，英国英语叫interval，美国英语叫intermission。工作或学习上的小歇叫break，如办公室、工厂或学校的午餐或喝茶／咖啡时间(lunch或tea break)：The children play outside in the breaks at school.课间休息时，学生都在教室外面玩耍。·You've worked so hard you've earned a break.你这样卖力，理该歇一歇。课间小歇，美国英语叫(a) recess。英国英语里，recess指较长的假期，尤指国会或法院的休会或休审期：Parliament is in recess.国会现在休会中。·the summer recess暑假。两个事件中发生不同事件的短时间叫interlude：a peaceful interlude in the fighting 战斗中的短暂和平，而行动或言语上的暂停叫pause：After a moment's pause, she answered.她停顿片刻，然后回答问题。 at intervals with time or spaces between 每隔…（时间或空间）；间歇:
I write home at regular intervals. 我定时给家里写信。Plant the trees at two-metre intervals. 每隔两米种一棵树。