hiatus

[hahy-ey-tuhs]

noun

plural

hiatuses, hiatus 

1. a break or interruption in the continuity of a work, series, action, etc.

2. a missing part; gap or lacuna.

   Scholars attempted to account for the hiatus in the medieval manuscript.

3. any gap or opening.

   Synonyms: space, interval, break

4. Grammar, Prosody.,  the coming together, with or without break or slight pause, and without contraction, of two vowels in successive words or syllables, as in see easily.

5. Anatomy.,  a natural fissure, cleft, or foramen in a bone or other structure.

hiatus

/ haɪˈeɪtəs /

noun

1. (esp in manuscripts) a break or gap where something is missing

2. a break or interruption in continuity

3. a break between adjacent vowels in the pronunciation of a word

4. anatomy a natural opening or aperture; foramen

5. anatomy a less common word for vulva

Other Word Forms

• hiatal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of hiatus¹

First recorded in 1555–65; from Latin hiātus “opening, gap,” equivalent to hiā(re) “to gape, open” + -tus, noun suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of hiatus¹

C16: from Latin: gap, cleft, aperture, from hiāre to gape, yawn

Example Sentences

Open, Venus returned to the court after a lengthy hiatus for July’s D.C.

From Los Angeles Times

In 2021, they became the first girl band to win best British group at the Brit Awards - but they went on hiatus shortly afterwards to "recharge" and work on solo projects.

From BBC

Kimmel has been on a summer hiatus from his show and will return to his hosting duties in September.

From Los Angeles Times

Following a COVID-induced hiatus, downtown’s renaissance, with banks converted into lofts and vibrant public spaces, is showing — once again — a new appetite for urban living.

From Los Angeles Times

BTS are set to return next year after going on hiatus in 2022 due to mandatory military service laws in South Korea.

From BBC

Related Words

• interval 
• lapse