interruption
Americannoun
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an act or instance of interrupting.
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the state of being interrupted.
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something that interrupts.
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cessation; intermission.
noun
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something that interrupts, such as a comment, question, or action
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an interval or intermission
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the act of interrupting or the state of being interrupted
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of interruption
1350–1400; Middle English interrupcio ( u ) n < Latin interruptiōn- (stem of interruptiō ). See interrupt, -ion
Explanation
Like a loud noise cutting into a moment of quiet reflection, an interruption is when something temporarily stops or disrupts an activity, conversation, or process. The word interruption comes from the Latin prefix inter-, meaning "between, among," and the Latin root rupt, meaning "burst." So an interruption can be thought of as something that bursts into the middle of something that is ongoing. Some interruptions — like a sudden power outage — can be annoying, even jarring. But some interruptions may be welcome, like your friend bringing you a treat to give you a break in the middle of a long, grueling study session.
Vocabulary lists containing interruption
Make a Break for It: Rupt
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List 2
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Actors in the production lip-sync the actual audio, reproducing every hesitation, interruption and verbal tic.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 7, 2026
Months of uninterrupted darkness made it possible to observe the planets' unusually long transits, each lasting more than 11 hours, without interruption.
From Science Daily ● Jun. 27, 2026
"It was like a new match beginning after the interruption," said France defender Jules Kounde.
From BBC ● Jun. 23, 2026
Spectators used the interruption to try to dry off, chat, and shop, whether it was food, drinks, jerseys, scarves, or whatever other merchandise they could find.
From Barron's ● Jun. 23, 2026
But before they could do so, there was an interruption.
From "The Subtle Knife" by Philip Pullman
Comprehensive policies typically include coverage for trip interruptions, trip cancellations, lost or delayed baggage, medical emergencies and emergency evacuations.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 9, 2026
Any interruptions in recruiting officers could set the department back, the skeptics argue.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 8, 2026
In the past the village only would have only brief summer interruptions to the water supply to "one or two higher-lying streets", according to mayor Lajos Pinter.
From Barron's ● Jun. 30, 2026
A life that promises them no riches, constant interruptions and often unreasonable demands, without even the comfort of a wife or a child.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 22, 2026
I needed another one of those random interruptions.
From "When I Was the Greatest" by Jason Reynolds
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
