disconnection

American  

[dis-kuh-nek-shuhn] / ˌdɪs kəˈnɛk ʃən /

British, disconnexion

noun

1. the act of disconnecting.

2. the state of being disconnected; lack of connection.

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Etymology

Origin of disconnection

First recorded in 1725–35; dis- ¹ + connection

Explanation

When you're detached or have lost your link to something (or someone), that's disconnection. If you live in Alaska and your family lives in Florida, you may feel a sense of disconnection. There's emotional disconnection, when you're separated from people you care about, and there's also the disconnection that occurs when a cord is unplugged or a source of energy or information is broken. This kind of disconnection happens when you lose your internet connection or your game console isn't plugged into the TV. Disconnection adds the "not" prefix dis- to connection, which comes from the Latin connexionem, "a joining together."

Example Sentences

The present crisis, he believes, is attributable to “the disconnection between America’s vast, innovative private sector and its walled-off, small defense sector.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

Back then, nobody could conceive of humankind being connected by machines that also facilitated our disconnection from each other.

From Salon • Mar. 26, 2026

Some parts of Havana began to have electricity again, a day after the energy ministry reported a "total disconnection" of the national electric system in the country of nearly 10 million people.

From Barron's • Mar. 22, 2026

Cuba's energy ministry said "a total disconnection of the National Electrical System has occurred", in a statement posted on social media.

From BBC • Mar. 21, 2026

Shanti had the idea that she should be comforted by this comment and this smile, but she wasn’t, and the disconnection troubled her.

From "Beauty Queens" by Libba Bray