disconnect

American  

[dis-kuh-nekt] / ˌdɪs kəˈnɛkt /

verb (used with object)

disconnected, disconnecting

1. to sever or interrupt the connection of or between; detach.

   They disconnected the telephone. We were disconnected.

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verb (used without object)

disconnected, disconnecting

1. to sever or terminate a connection, as of a telephone; hang up.

   State your business and disconnect.

2. to withdraw into one's private world.

   When social pressures become too great, she simply disconnects.

noun

1. an act or instance of disconnecting, especially the suspension of telephone or cable TV service for nonpayment of service charges.

2. a lack of communication or agreement.

   There is a huge disconnect between management and employees.

disconnect British  

/ ˌdɪskəˈnɛkt /

verb

1. (tr) to undo or break the connection of or between (something, such as a plug and a socket)

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noun

1. a lack of a connection; disconnection

   a disconnect between political discourse and the public

Other Word Forms

• disconnecter noun
• disconnection noun
• disconnective adjective
• disconnectiveness noun

Etymology

Origin of disconnect

First recorded in 1760–70; dis- ¹ + connect

Example Sentences

Some technology companies are fighting a potential solution: disconnecting the data centers from the grid when electricity is in short supply.

From The Wall Street Journal

Modern social media is increasingly disconnected from the electorate.

From The Wall Street Journal

People affected by these conditions may feel disconnected from their own bodies or experience a weakened sense of self.

From Science Daily

One positive is a disconnect between shares of cheaper public REITs relative to private-market values.

From Barron's

Both oil and silver are priced in dollars and “we can see little in the way of other macro drivers to explain the current disconnect.”

From MarketWatch

Related Words

• cut off
• detach
• disengage
• sever