interruption
Americannoun
-
an act or instance of interrupting.
-
the state of being interrupted.
-
something that interrupts.
-
cessation; intermission.
noun
-
something that interrupts, such as a comment, question, or action
-
an interval or intermission
-
the act of interrupting or the state of being interrupted
Other Word Forms
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
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
List 2
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Week 5 Vocabulary
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
Our economy has suffered from the threat of a temporary interruption of the oil coming through the Strait of Hormuz, which covers about 7% of our oil needs.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 26, 2026
These changes ensured that payments could be made without interruption.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 21, 2026
In January, Verizon made headlines again, when a service interruption hit more than 180,000 customers.
From Barron's • Apr. 8, 2026
When video streaming platforms were first launched, they were marketed as an affordable way to watch your favorite movies without the interruption of an ad break.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 25, 2026
The Other Colin sat silently on the stool, no doubt displeased by the interruption.
From "An Abundance of Katherines" by John Green
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.
