paused

Paused is the past participle and adjective of pause, indicating a temporary halt or suspension of activity, progress, or movement. It describes a state kept in readiness for continuation rather than a completed stop. The term is used across domains to denote an intentional interruption.

In media playback, paused indicates that audio or video has been temporarily stopped while preserving the current position. When resumed, playback continues from the same timestamp. A pause frame can refer to a still image used for analysis or to mark a transition within a sequence.

In computing and digital systems, a paused process or thread has its execution suspended and consumes minimal CPU time until resumed. Pausing is common during debugging, resource management, or coordination with other tasks. Implementations may use signals, control keys, or explicit commands to enter and exit the paused state.

In games and interactive applications, pausing freezes the action and typically redirects input to menus or overlays. The paused state prevents in-game events from progressing while allowing the user to adjust settings, review information, or save progress, depending on the design.

Beyond technology, paused can describe temporary interruptions in workflows, broadcasts, or scheduling, reflecting an intentional delay with plans to continue later. The concept emphasizes the distinction between a deliberate halt and an abrupt disruption. See also pause.