parenthesis
noun
pa·ren·the·sis pə-ˈren(t)-thə-səs 
plural parentheses pə-ˈren(t)-thə-ˌsēz
1
a
: an amplifying (see amplify sense 1) or explanatory word, phrase, or sentence inserted in a passage from which it is usually set off by punctuation
explained further in a parenthesis
b
: a remark or passage that departs from the theme of a discourse : digression
The speaker inserted some often amusing parentheses during his speech.
2
: interlude, interval
The parenthesis of war interrupted the course of his life.
3
: one or both of the curved marks ( ) used in writing and printing to enclose a parenthetical expression or to group a symbolic unit in a logical or mathematical expression
The plant's common name is followed by its Latin name in parentheses.
Synonyms
- discontinuity
- gap
- hiatus
- hiccup
- hiccough
- interim
- interlude
- intermission
- interregnum
- interruption
- interstice
- interval
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Teams are listed with win-loss record in parenthesis and rating. 
Orlando Sentinel, 22 Aug. 2022 If the soloist listed appears on a recording billed to another artist, the latter’s name is in parenthesis for identification. Hilary Lewis, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Apr. 2022 If the soloist listed appears on a recording billed to another artist, the latter’s name is in parenthesis for identification. Katie Atkinson, Billboard, 3 Apr. 2022 Ranking in the postseason early Top 25 in parenthesis. Erick Smith, USA TODAY, 4 May 2022 Meanwhile, seven cities on Biz2Credit’s new Top 25 ranking for 2020 dropped off the list (2020 rank in parenthesis): Raleigh (15), St. Louis (18), Charlotte (19), Chicago (20), Minneapolis-St. Rohit Arora, Forbes, 3 May 2022 Times are estimated based on an average of the past five years, with those times listed in parenthesis from most recent to oldest. Jr Radcliffe, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 22 Apr. 2022 One business executive left the Élysée Palace thinking the war in Ukraine represented a parenthesis in Western trade ties with Russia, not an uncoupling. Nick Kostov, wsj.com, 23 Mar. 2022 If a player was on the list last month, his past ranking is in parenthesis. Tim Bielik, cleveland, 6 Jan. 2022 See More
Orlando Sentinel, 22 Aug. 2022 If the soloist listed appears on a recording billed to another artist, the latter’s name is in parenthesis for identification. Hilary Lewis, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Apr. 2022 If the soloist listed appears on a recording billed to another artist, the latter’s name is in parenthesis for identification. Katie Atkinson, Billboard, 3 Apr. 2022 Ranking in the postseason early Top 25 in parenthesis. Erick Smith, USA TODAY, 4 May 2022 Meanwhile, seven cities on Biz2Credit’s new Top 25 ranking for 2020 dropped off the list (2020 rank in parenthesis): Raleigh (15), St. Louis (18), Charlotte (19), Chicago (20), Minneapolis-St. Rohit Arora, Forbes, 3 May 2022 Times are estimated based on an average of the past five years, with those times listed in parenthesis from most recent to oldest. Jr Radcliffe, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 22 Apr. 2022 One business executive left the Élysée Palace thinking the war in Ukraine represented a parenthesis in Western trade ties with Russia, not an uncoupling. Nick Kostov, wsj.com, 23 Mar. 2022 If a player was on the list last month, his past ranking is in parenthesis. Tim Bielik, cleveland, 6 Jan. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Late Latin, from Greek, literally, act of inserting, from parentithenai to insert, from para- + en- en- + tithenai to place — more at do
First Known Use
1548, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Kids Definition
parenthesis
noun
pa·ren·the·sis pə-ˈren-thə-səs
plural parentheses
-ˌsēz
: one of a pair of marks ( ) used to enclose a word or group of words or to group mathematical terms to be dealt with as a unit
parentheses
noun
as in intervals
a break in continuity there was a parenthesis of silence when the microphone momentarily lost power Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- intervals
- interruptions
- gaps
- pauses
- commas
- spaces
- interludes
- intermissions
- discontinuities
- interims
- interstices
- hiatuses
- hiccups
- interregnums
- interregna
- lulls
- windows
- caesuras
- hiccoughs
- interspaces
- time lags
- caesurae
- lags
- entr'actes
- bumpers
- respites
- suspensions
- subintervals
- discontinuances
- rests
- adjournments
- lapses
- recesses
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- continuations
- continuities
- runs
- stretches
- continua
- progressions
- processions
- continuums