Definition of "hiatus"

hiatus

/haɪˈeɪtəs/

noun
countable and uncountable, plural hiatus or hiatuses
1. A gap in a series, making it incomplete.
2. An interruption, break or pause.
3. An unexpected break from work.
4. (geology) A gap in geological strata.
  Quotations
  The beginning of the Mesozoic Era on the Colorado Plateau is marked by a regional hiatus or break of sedimentary deposition that lasted about 25 to 30 Ma.
  2012, Chinle Miller, “The Tectonic Forces of the Mesozoic”, in In Mesozoic Lands: The Mesozoic Geology of Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, Kindle edition, page 33
5. (anatomy) An opening in an organ.
6. (linguistics, uncountable) A syllable break between two vowels, without an intervening consonant. (Compare diphthong.)
7. A temporary absence from the public or the mainstream.