hiatus

A period when something stops happening before starting again.

• The series is on hiatus.
• She returned to acting after a long hiatus.
• A brief hiatus in the talks gave everyone time to think.

How to use it: a hiatus in something (There was a brief hiatus in production.); go on hiatus (The band went on hiatus after its last tour.)

Similar words: break, pause, interruption

Opposites: continuation

Common phrases: on hiatus, brief hiatus, after a hiatus

A temporary period away from work, sometimes one that was not planned.

• I’m taking a short hiatus from work.
• An office closure gave us an unexpected hiatus.
• He returned refreshed after his summer hiatus.

How to use it: a hiatus from something (She took a hiatus from work to rest.)

Similar words: break, time off, leave

Common phrases: take a hiatus, hiatus from work, unexpected hiatus

An opening in a part of the body through which another body part can pass.

• The nerve passes through a small hiatus.
• The scan showed widening of the esophageal hiatus.
• The aorta passes through the aortic hiatus in the diaphragm.

Similar words: opening

Common phrases: aortic hiatus, esophageal hiatus, diaphragmatic hiatus

The plural form of hiatus; more than one (kind of) hiatus.