pause
To stop what you are doing for a short time and then start again.
To stop an action or activity for a short period before continuing.
A short time when something stops and then starts again.
A short period when something stops before starting again, especially in speech or activity.
To make a machine or program stop for a short time without turning it off.
To temporarily stop the operation of a device or program without turning it off completely.
- Base: pause
- Plural: pauses
- Base: pause
- 3rd Person Singular: pauses
- Present Participle: pausing
- Past: paused
pause for thought
1Stop briefly to think
To stop for a short time so you can think carefully before you speak or act.
- His question made her pause for thought before answering.
- The news should make us all pause for thought about our future.
pregnant pause
1A pause full of unspoken meaning
A short time of silence that feels important or full of meaning.
- There was a pregnant pause before she responded to the question.
- After his confession, a pregnant pause filled the room.
pregnant pause
2Meaningful or tense silence
A silence that feels important because people expect something to happen or be said.
- There was a pregnant pause before he finally told the truth.
- She let the pregnant pause hang in the air before continuing.