disconnection

American  

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

British, disconnexion

noun

• disconnections
  plural

1. the act of disconnecting.

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

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• disconnections
  plural

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

See Examples For:

disconnection disconnections

State-run UNE said there was a "total disconnection" of the national electricity system, plunging the country, including the capital, into abrupt darkness.

From Barron's ● Aug. 3, 2026

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has spoken about his difficulties re-integrating into society after combat and the disconnection many veterans feel.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 20, 2026

It is being led by the Independent Commission on Community and Cohesion, which describes itself as a non-partisan initiative responding to the "converging crises of social disconnection and division".

From BBC ● May 17, 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

We learned various warning signals of youthful disconnection and disturbances.

From "Geeks: How Two Lost Boys Rode the Internet Out of Idaho" by Jon Katz

Rich Morgan said the cycle network had improved since he began living in the city, but said: "There are definite gaps, disconnections, and cycleways ending."

From BBC ● Mar. 29, 2025

Padilla said the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program, or LIHWAP, has proved successful in preventing disconnections of water service, restoring service after shutoffs, and helping those who are struggling to afford their water bills.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 12, 2024

The settlement is in addition to $625,250 in penalties issued against Lumen over phone disconnections during the moratorium by the state Utilities and Transportation Commission.

From Seattle Times ● Dec. 28, 2023

Televisa's cable segment saw 737,000 disconnections between broadband and video subscribers and a revenue drop of 2.0%.

From Reuters ● Oct. 26, 2023

Examine the wires between cab switch and head lamp for breaks or disconnections.

From The Traveling Engineers' Association To Improve The Locomotive Engine Service of American Railroads by Anonymous