A hiatus is a pause in which nothing happens, or a gap where something is missing.
[formal]
Diplomatic efforts to reach a settlement resume today after a two-week hiatus.
There was an hiatus in his acting life.
[Also + in/of]
Synonyms: pause, break, interval, space More Synonyms of hiatus
hiatus in British English
(haɪˈeɪtəs)
nounWord forms: plural-tuses or -tus
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
Derived forms
hiatal (hiˈatal)
adjective
Word origin
C16: from Latin: gap, cleft, aperture, from hiāre to gape, yawn
hiatus in American English
(haɪˈeɪtəs)
nounWord forms: pluralhiˈatuses or hiˈatus
1.
a break where a part is missing or lost, as in a manuscript; gap in a sequence; lacuna
2.
any gap or interruption, as in continuity or time
3. Phonetics
a slight pause in pronunciation between two successive vowels in adjacent words or syllables, as between the sounds represented by the successive e's in he entered and reenter
Derived forms
hiatal (hiˈatal)
adjective
Word origin
L, pp. of hiare, to gape < IE base *ĝhē-, ĝhēi- > gap, gasp
Examples of 'hiatus' in a sentence
hiatus
I have a small hiatus hernia - would it help if it was removed?
The Sun (2016)
My father has a hiatus hernia with similar symptoms.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
He has a hiatus hernia to deal with.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Avoid this if you have a hiatus hernia as it may cause uncomfortable burning.
Martlew, Gillian & Silver, Shelley Stay Well This Winter (1989)
Anyone suffering from hiatus hernia should avoid cayenne pepper.
Martlew, Gillian & Silver, Shelley (ed) The Medicine Chest - your family's guide to prescription drugs (1988)
Why was there such a long hiatus between recording and releasing the album?
The Sun (2015)
Why the relatively long hiatus between albums?
The Sun (2013)
Can a hiatus last this long?
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
If you have a hiatus hernia, avoid ginger as this may cause an uncomfortable burning sensation.
Martlew, Gillian & Silver, Shelley Stay Well This Winter (1989)
Are these inevitable side-effects of a hiatus hernia?
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
It is looking at resuming the dividend after a five-year hiatus.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
SIX weeks ago my daughter had a operation for a hiatus hernia.
The Sun (2011)
A hiatus hernia is when part of the stomach squeezes through a gap in the diaphragm.
The Sun (2012)
After a five-year hiatus he returns.
The Sun (2014)
So why this long hiatus?
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
You may also have a small hiatus hernia - this is caused by the upper part of your stomach pushing upwards into your chest.
The Sun (2015)
Also I have a small hiatus hernia.
The Sun (2016)
Mum took him to A&E, where they diagnosed a hiatus hernia.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
System of a Down are another band who recently re-formed after a long hiatus.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
And it's something for fans to get excited about in case this two-year hiatus is longer.
The Sun (2015)
I had a hiatus hernia 20 years ago - could there be a link?
The Sun (2012)
As a result, my teeth are slowly chipping out and I have a hiatus hernia in my oesophagus.
The Sun (2012)
Q I have been diagnosed with a hiatus hernia.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
(noun)
Definition
a pause or an interruption in continuity
Efforts to reach a settlement resume today after a two-week hiatus.
Synonyms
pause
There was a brief pause in the conversation.
break
Nothing has been discussed that might lead to a break in the deadlock.
interval
During the interval, wine was served.
space
Affix your stamps on the space provided.
gap
There followed a gap of four years.
breach
A large battering ram hammered a breach in the wall.
blank
Put a word in each blank to complete the sentence.
lapse
the time lapse between pulling the seat handle and the parachute deploying
interruption
interruptions in the supply of food and fuel
respite
I rang home during a brief respite at work.
chasm
the chasm that separates the rich from the poor
discontinuity
lacuna
There are still major lacunae in the material available.
entr'acte
Additional synonyms
in the sense of blank
Definition
an empty space for writing in
Put a word in each blank to complete the sentence.
Synonyms
empty space,
space,
gap
in the sense of breach
Definition
a crack, break, or gap
A large battering ram hammered a breach in the wall.
Synonyms
opening,
crack,
break,
hole,
split,
gap,
rent,
rift,
rupture,
aperture,
chasm,
cleft,
fissure
in the sense of break
Definition
any sudden interruption in a continuous action
Nothing has been discussed that might lead to a break in the deadlock.