Pause: meaning, definitions and examples

Use 'pause' when you temporarily stop a particular action or event, intending to resume shortly. It's often used in formal and informal settings.

• She paused the movie to answer the phone.
• Let's pause the meeting for a five-minute break.

Use 'break' when taking a longer interruption from an activity for rest or relaxation. This can be used in both professional and casual settings.

• I'm going to take a lunch break.
• We have a short break between sessions.

Use 'stop' for a general and complete end to an activity or motion. It's a versatile and widely used term in both formal and informal contexts.

• Please stop talking during the movie.
• He had to stop his car suddenly to avoid an accident.

Use 'halt' when bringing an action or process to an abrupt or complete stop, often with a sense of urgency or finality. It can sound more formal or technical and sometimes conveys a negative nuance.

• The construction was halted due to safety concerns.
• The CEO ordered the project to be halted immediately.

Best used when temporarily stopping an action or event with the intention to resume it shortly. Often used in conversations or during activities like watching a movie.

• Can we pause the movie for a moment? Let's pause the discussion and continue after lunch

Used when cutting into an action or event, particularly conversations or ongoing activities. It can have a negative connotation if done rudely.

• Please don't interrupt while I'm speaking
• The phone call interrupted our meeting

Refers to stopping something immediately and completely. Often used in formal or urgent contexts, such as stopping a vehicle or a process.

• The train came to a halt due to an obstacle on the tracks
• The government decided to halt the construction project

A general term for bringing an action or event to an end. Can be used in various contexts, both formal and informal.

• We need to stop the car here
• He decided to stop smoking