interrupt

[ verb in-tuh-ruhpt; noun in-tuh-ruhpt ]

verb (used with object)

1. to cause or make a break in the continuity or uniformity of (a course, process, condition, etc.).

   Synonyms: intermit

   Antonyms: continue

2. to break off or cause to cease, as in the middle of something:

   He interrupted his work to answer the bell.

   Antonyms: continue

3. to stop (a person) in the midst of doing or saying something, especially by an interjected remark:

   May I interrupt you to comment on your last remark?

   Synonyms: intermit

verb (used without object)

1. to cause a break or discontinuance; interfere with action or speech, especially by interjecting a remark:

   Please don't interrupt.

noun

1. Computers. a hardware signal that breaks the flow of program execution and transfers control to a predetermined storage location so that another procedure can be followed or a new operation carried out.

interrupt

/ ˌɪntəˈrʌpt /

verb

1. to break the continuity of (an action, event, etc) or hinder (a person) by intrusion
2. tr to cease to perform (some action)
3. tr to obstruct (a view)
4. to prevent or disturb (a conversation, discussion, etc) by questions, interjections, or comment

noun

1. the signal to initiate the stopping of the running of one computer program in order to run another, after which the running of the original program is usually continued

Derived Forms

• ˌinterˈruptive, adjective
• ˌinterˈruptively, adverb
• ˌinterˈruptible, adjective

Other Words From

• inter·rupted·ly adverb
• inter·rupted·ness noun
• inter·rupti·ble adjective
• inter·ruptive adjective
• nonin·ter·rupti·ble adjective
• nonin·ter·ruptive adjective
• rein·ter·rupt verb
• self-inter·rupting adjective
• unin·ter·rupti·ble adjective
• unin·ter·rupting adjective
• unin·ter·ruptive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of interrupt¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English interrupten, from Latin interruptus, past participle of interrumpere “to break apart,” equivalent to inter- “between, among, together” + rup-, variant stem of rumpere “to burst” + -tus past participle suffix; inter-, rupture

Word History and Origins

Origin of interrupt¹

C15: from Latin interrumpere , from inter- + rumpere to break

Synonym Study

Interrupt, discontinue, suspend imply breaking off something temporarily or permanently. Interrupt may have either meaning: to interrupt a meeting. To discontinue is to stop or leave off, often permanently: to discontinue a building program. To suspend is to break off relations, operations, proceedings, privileges, etc., for a certain period of time, usually with the stipulation that they will be resumed at a stated time: to suspend operations during a strike.

Example Sentences

The child is loud, intrusive, screams, runs, climbs on the furniture, demands attention, interrupts, cannot sit still .

From Washington Post

The television networks interrupt their broadcasts to take the nation directly to Selma.

From The Daily Beast

A contest is divided into two 45-minute periods with a 15-minute halftime, and there are no commercials to interrupt the action.

From The Daily Beast

This one, as the name implies, involves ingesting the long-lasting hallucinogen with the power to interrupt her addiction.

From The Daily Beast

Since a tight feeling in your lungs is so common during panic attacks, deep breathing can interrupt that cycle.

From The Daily Beast

Dirt roads are still carved into the desert hills, but only a few buildings interrupt the landscape.

From The Daily Beast

Then you are a very bad trustee, thus to misuse the foot-way, and interrupt passengers.

From Project Gutenberg

Never interrupt an earnest or apparently interesting conversation.

From Project Gutenberg

He tells me he doesn't want his marriage to interrupt wholly that pleasant intimacy which has existed between you and me.

From Project Gutenberg

An ordinary mortal may not interrupt a king, but a king may interrupt anything, except perhaps a German bombardment.

From Project Gutenberg

This long conversation between Ivan and the prince excited some alarm among the shareholders; they tried to interrupt it.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• break
• break off
• cut off
• cut short
• delay
• discontinue
• disturb
• halt
• heckle
• hinder
• hold up
• impede
• prevent
• punctuate
• stop
• suspend