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。