lulls

Lull is a noun describing a temporary pause in activity, noise, or intensity. It can also be a verb meaning to soothe or quiet someone or something, or to cause sleep. The noun can refer to a pause in weather, sound, or activity, or to a period in which things are calmer.

In weather and wind, a lull is a stretch of calm air that interrupts stronger winds or rain bursts, often described as a lull between gusts. In conflict or competition, a lull denotes a temporary cessation of hostilities or activity, such as a ceasefire or a slow period in a market. In music and poetry, a lull can describe a soft, soothing passage, or the act of lulling a listener; a lullaby is a song designed to lull a child to sleep.

In everyday use, lulls are seen as natural or strategic pauses that influence planning and perception; they are usually temporary and can be followed by renewed activity or volatility, as in a lull before the storm. Etymology traces to the English verb lull, with the sense of soothing or quieting dating from early use. The term is widely used across disciplines to denote a temporary delay rather than a permanent change.