a short interval between the acts of a play or parts of a public performance, usually a period of approximately 10 or 15 minutes, allowing the performers and audience a rest.

a period during which action temporarily ceases; an interval between periods of action or activity

They studied for hours without an intermission.

the act or fact of intermitting; state of being intermitted

to work without intermission.

noun

abeyance , abeyancy , break-off , breather , breathing spell , cessation , doldrums , dormancy , downtime * , interim , interlude , interregnum , interruption , interval , latency , layoff , let-up , lull , parenthesis , pause , quiescence , quiescency , respite , rest , spell , stop , stoppage , suspense , suspension , time , time-out , wait , recess , armistice , break , hiatus