| Emoji | Name | Meaning | Category | Codepoint | Shortcodes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ⏸ | pause_button | Represents the pause control symbol used to halt media playback temporarily. | Symbols | U+23F8 | :pause_button: |
⏸
Meaning
The ⏸ emoji depicts the universal pause control symbol, showing two vertical bars. It signals a temporary stop or break in audio, video, or any ongoing activity.
Common Uses
- Indicating media playback is paused
- Prompting users to take a break or stop temporarily
- Representing a pause in conversation or action
- Used in apps or interfaces to show pause controls
- Suggesting interruption without ending a process
Examples
Let's ⏸ the video here.
Taking a quick ⏸ before continuing.
Press ⏸ to pause the music.
Related Emojis
- ▶️ Play Button: Starts or resumes media playback instead of pausing.
- ⏹ Stop Button: Indicates a full stop rather than a temporary pause.
- ⏺ Record Button: Represents starting a recording session, unlike pausing.
- ⏭ Next Track Button: Skips forward beyond pausing.
Technical Notes
The pause_button emoji is assigned codepoint U+23F8 and was introduced around Unicode version 6.0. It appears as two vertical bars in most platforms, consistent across devices. This symbol is static and does not support skin tone variations.
FAQ
What does the ⏸ emoji mean?
It signifies the pause function, used to temporarily halt media or actions.
How is the ⏸ emoji used?
It appears in conversations or interfaces to indicate stopping playback or pausing an activity.
Does the meaning of the ⏸ emoji change by context?
Its core meaning remains a temporary stop; the context defines whether this is media-related or figurative.