Pausa

A pausa (Italian for "pause") is a temporary break or interruption in an activity, process, or period of time. It implies a cessation of action, but usually suggests that the activity will resume after a short interval.

In music, a pausa refers to a rest or break in the musical flow. It is a symbol indicating a period of silence. The duration of the pausa can vary, ranging from a brief silence to a more extended pause. Standard musical notation includes symbols for different lengths of pauses, similar to note values.

More generally, a pausa can describe a temporary cessation in conversation, work, or any other activity. It suggests a deliberate stopping point, often for the purpose of rest, reflection, or to allow time for something else to occur.

The term is commonly used in fields such as music, theatre, and literature, but its meaning is widely understood in everyday language.