disruption

[dis-ruhp-shuhn]

noun

1. forcible separation or division into parts.

2. a disrupted condition.

   After the coup, the country was in disruption.

3. Business.,  a radical change in an industry, business strategy, etc., especially involving the introduction of a new product or service that creates a new market.

   Globalization and the rapid advance of technology are major causes of business disruption.

Other Word Forms

• predisruption noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of disruption¹

First recorded in 1640–50; from Latin disruptiōn-, stem of disruptiō; equivalent to disrupt + -ion

Example Sentences

Until the big day, the wedding plans had been kept under wraps due to concerns about security and potential disruptions.

Read more on BBC

In Australia, budget airline Jetstar cancelled 90 flights after confirming around a third of its fleet was impacted, with disruption expected to continue all weekend despite the majority of aircraft having already undergone the update.

Read more on BBC

"We are aware of a directive requiring some airlines operating Airbus A320 aircraft to update software on their fleet over coming days, which may result in some disruption," a spokesperson for Gatwick Airport said.

Read more on BBC

But it added that “these recommendations will lead to operational disruptions to passengers and customers.”

Read more on MarketWatch

Airbus said the problem was discovered following a recent "incident" in the US involving an A320 family aircraft and apologised for disruption to passengers.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• confusion 
• disorder 
• disturbance