commercial break

Meaning

A commercial break is a short pause during a television or radio program when advertisements are shown. It gives viewers a moment to grab a snack, use the restroom, or stretch before the show continues.

Examples

• Let's run to the kitchen during the next commercial break.

  Let's run to the kitchen during the next commercial break.

• The movie is great, but there are too many commercial breaks.

  The movie is great, but there are too many commercial breaks.

• We'll be right back after a quick commercial break.

  We'll be right back after a quick commercial break.

• I usually mute the TV when a commercial break starts.

  I usually mute the TV when a commercial break starts.

• During the commercial break, they showed an ad for a new car.

  During the commercial break, they showed an ad for a new car.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I will get some water during the advertisement pause.

  ✓ I will get some water during the commercial break.

  Native speakers rarely say 'advertisement pause' or 'ad pause'. They almost always use 'commercial break' or 'ad break'.

• ✗ The show has too many commercial cuts.

  ✓ The show has too many commercial breaks.

  The word 'break' is the standard term used for these scheduled interruptions in broadcasting.

Related Expressions

Practice

• I'll make some popcorn during the next ___.

  💡 The short pause for advertisements on TV.

  Show answer

  commercial break

• The talk show host said they would return after a brief ___.

  💡 A break for television commercials.

  Show answer

  commercial break