disrupt

[dis-ruhpt]

verb (used with object)

to cause disorder or turmoil in: The news disrupted their conference.

to destroy, usually temporarily, the normal continuance or unity of; interrupt: Telephone service was disrupted for hours.

to break apart: to disrupt a connection.

Business. to radically change (an industry, business strategy, etc.), as by introducing a new product or service that creates a new market: It’s time to disrupt your old business model.

adjective

broken apart; disrupted.

Origin of disrupt

1650–60; < Latin disruptus (variant of dīruptus, past participle of dīrumpere; dī- di-² + rumpere to break), equivalent to dis- dis-¹ + rup- break + -tus past participle suffix

Related formsdis·rupt·er, dis·rup·tor, nounnon·dis·rupt·ing, adjectivenon·dis·rupt·ing·ly, adverbun·dis·rupt·ed, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for disruptor

Contemporary Examples of disruptor

“Most Facebook gaming takes place during the workday,” said Hank Halley, chief operating officer of Disruptor Beam.
'Game of Thrones' Facebook App Ascent Just Too Popular in Its First Week
Winston Ross
February 27, 2013

British Dictionary definitions for disruptor

disrupt

verb

(tr) to throw into turmoil or disorder

(tr) to interrupt the progress of (a movement, meeting, etc)

to break or split (something) apart

Derived Formsdisrupter or disruptor, noundisruption, noun

Word Origin for disrupt

C17: from Latin disruptus burst asunder, from dīrumpere to dash to pieces, from dis- 1 + rumpere to burst

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for disruptor

disrupt

1650s, but rare before c.1820, from Latin disruptus, past participle of disrumpere (see disruption). Or perhaps a back-formation from disruption. Related: Disrupted; disrupting.