1 pause
Pronounced:
/ˈpɑ:z/
Function:
nounInflected forms:
plural paus·esMeaning:
1 : a temporary stop : a period of time in which something is stopped before it is started again [count] ▪ There was a brief/long pause in the conversation. ▪ After a pause the teacher continued the lesson. [noncount] ▪ He talked for over an hour without pause. [=without pausing or stopping]
2 [noncount] : a control that you use when you want to stop a recorded song, movie, etc., for a short time ▪ He hit pause on the player and explained the significance of the song's lyrics. ▪ Please hit the pause button on the remote control.
3 [count] music : the sign ·̑ that is placed over or under a musical note, rest, etc., to show that it should be held longer than usual
2 [noncount] : a control that you use when you want to stop a recorded song, movie, etc., for a short time ▪ He hit pause on the player and explained the significance of the song's lyrics. ▪ Please hit the pause button on the remote control.
3 [count] music : the sign ·̑ that is placed over or under a musical note, rest, etc., to show that it should be held longer than usual
give (someone) pause also give (someone) pause for thought
: to cause (someone) to stop and think about something carefully or to have doubts about something ▪ I was going to ask her for help, but the look on her face gave me pause. [=made me hesitate] ▪ The latest economic news has given investors pause for thought.