fermata
noun
fer·ma·ta fer-ˈmä-tə 
: a prolongation at the discretion of the performer of a musical note, chord, or rest beyond its given time value
also : the sign denoting such a prolongation
called also hold
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Somehow, an insistent fermata of sirens manages to slink through from the street. 
Danielle Ofri, The New Yorker, 1 Oct. 2020 The mysterious ancient Hebrew word selah is one word for this response, which some believe is a musical notation akin to a fermata. Virginia Heffernan, WIRED, 12 Mar. 2018 The sound of a piano softly tinkles in the background, gradually building (strings are optional now) into a fermata. Cmo Today Staff, WSJ, 22 Dec. 2017
Danielle Ofri, The New Yorker, 1 Oct. 2020 The mysterious ancient Hebrew word selah is one word for this response, which some believe is a musical notation akin to a fermata. Virginia Heffernan, WIRED, 12 Mar. 2018 The sound of a piano softly tinkles in the background, gradually building (strings are optional now) into a fermata. Cmo Today Staff, WSJ, 22 Dec. 2017 Word History
Etymology
Italian, literally, stop, from fermare to stop, from Latin firmare to make firm
First Known Use
circa 1859, in the meaning defined above