---
name: "pause"
section: "3"
platform: "macos"
package: "Libc"
version: "1752.120.2"
release: "macOS 26.5"
platforms: ["freebsd", "macos"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/pause/3"
---

# pause(3)

stop until signal

## NAME

**pause** – stop until signal

## LIBRARY

Standard C Library (libc, -lc)

## SYNOPSIS

**#include \<unistd.h\>**

*int*\

**pause**(*void*);

## DESCRIPTION

**Pause** **is** **made** **obsolete** **by** [sigsuspend(2)](/sigsuspend/2.md).

The **pause**() function causes the calling thread to pause until a signal is received from either the [kill(2)](/kill/2.md) function or an interval timer. (See [setitimer(2)](/setitimer/2.md).) Upon termination of a signal handler started during a **pause**(), the **pause**() call will return.

## RETURN VALUES

Always returns -1.

## ERRORS

The **pause**() function always returns:

- \[EINTR\]

  The call was interrupted.

## SEE ALSO

[kill(2)](/kill/2.md), [select(2)](/select/2.md), [sigsuspend(2)](/sigsuspend/2.md)

## HISTORY

A **pause**() syscall appeared in Version 6 AT&T UNIX.