Vaheperioode

Vaheperioode is an Estonian term for a time interval that separates two other periods, events, or phases. It derives from vahe meaning “between” or “interim” and periood meaning “period.” The concept denotes an intermediate or transitional phase, often associated with change, adjustment, or consolidation between a preceding state and a following one.

The term is used across disciplines to describe periods of transition. In history and political science, it designates the years or era between major events or regimes. In the natural sciences, it can refer to intervals with different climatic, geological, or ecological conditions, distinct from surrounding times. In social contexts it may describe reform periods, gaps of power, or institutional changes that do not fit neatly into previously defined categories. It can also describe shorter pauses or hiatuses in projects, seasons, or economic cycles.

A common example is the interwar period, the time between major conflicts; in other contexts it can mark transitional reforms after a regime change or the gap between different climate or geological epochs. Because boundaries between events and periods are often disputed, vaheperioode is frequently defined by common usage rather than precise dates.

See also: interim period, transitional period, interwar period.